Bok boost for wounded Sharks
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Springbok captain Siya Kolisi once again leads the Sharks this weekend when they play their final Champions Cup pool game against Bordeaux Begles at the Stade Chaban-Delmas in France.
Sharks head coach John Plumtree has once again had to rejig his team following a frustrating run of injuries, having lost Vincent Koch, Jordan Hendrikse and Makazole Mapimpi last week to add to the injury toll.
OX Nche has some respite, being named on the bench for a second half effort with Ntuthuko Mchunu taking his place and Trevor Nyakane in for the injured Koch.
Grant Williams and Siya Masuku will start as the halfback pairing in place of the Hendrikse brothers, while Yaw Penxe shifts to fullback, Eduan Keyter is moved to his wing, Ethan Hooker takes over from Mapimpi on the other wing and Jurenzo Julius gets a start at outside centre.
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Speaking ahead of the match, Plumtree explained the change upfront saying that, “Ox has shouldered a big responsibility, he’s played a lot of rugby and we obviously have a fairly big injury toll right now.”
Despite the challenges the Sharks team face, Plumtree is happy with how his players are responding.
“I’m proud of the effort shown by the younger players and hope to see more of that.”
Another challenge awaits on Sunday and Plumtree will be looking for more bravery from his side.
“Bordeaux play a similar style of rugby to Toulouse in some ways, so last week’s game certainly helped prep us for this one.”
Sharks: 15 Yaw Penxe, 14 Eduan Keyter, 13 Jurenzo Julius, 12 Francois Venter, 11 Ethan Hooker, 10 Siya Masuku, 9 Grant Williams, 8 Siya Kolisi (captain), 7 Emmanuel Tshituka, 6 Phepsi Buthelezi, 5 Jason Jenkins, 4 Corne Rahl, 3 Trevor Nyakane, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Ntuthuko Mchunu.
Replacements: 16 Ethan Bester, 17 Ox Nche, 18 Hanro Jacobs, 19 Jeandre Labuschagne, 20 Dylan Richardson, 21 Bradley Davids, 22 Jaden Hendrikse, 23 Hakeem Kunene.
Date: Sunday, January 19
Venue: Stade Chaban-Delmas
Kick-off: 14.00 (15.00 SA time; 13.00 GMT)
Referee: Christophe Ridley (England)
Assistant referees: Joe James (England), Jamie Leahy (England)
TMO: Dean Richards (England)
