Bok returns as Sharks ring the changes for Sale clash
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Sharks interim head coach JP Pietersen has made wholesale changes to his matchday squad for Saturday’s Champions Cup Round Three clash against Sale in Manchester.
Nick Hatton leads the team, having captained a similar-looking team in their first-round match against Toulouse just over a month ago.
Lee-Marvin Mazibuko and Eduan Swart remain from that fixture, with Springbok Vincent Koch returning to action, adding his vast experience to the young front row.
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Corne Rahl partners up with Emile van Heerden in the second row, having made his return to action off the bench last week against the Lions.
Hatton partners up with Tinotenda Mavesere and Emmanuel Tshituka in the back row, completing an exciting forward pack.
The backline is completely changed from last week, but reminiscent of the team that travelled to France to play Toulouse in Round One.
Ross Braude is at scrumhalf, where he partners with Siya Masuku as the halfback pairing.
Le Roux Malan is on the wing, having previously played at outside centre, while Jurenzo Julius is paired with Francois Venter in the midfield, with Yaw Penxe and Hakeem Kunene completing the back three.
Sharks: 15 Hakeem Kunene, 14 Yaw Penxe, 13 Francois Venter, 12 Jurenzo Julius, 11 Le Roux Malan, 10 Siya Masuku, 9 Ross Braude, 8 Nick Hatton (captain), 7 Emmanuel Tshituka, 6 Tinotenda Mavesere, 5 Emile van Heerden, 4 Corne Rahl, 3 Vincent Koch, 2 Eduan Swart, 1 Lee-Marvin Mazibuko.
Replacements: 16 Ethan Bester, 17 Phatu Ganyane, 18 Mawande Mdanda, 19 Vincent Tshituka, 20 Matt Romao, 21 Ceano Everson, 22 Jean Smith, 23 Marnus Potgieter.
Date: Saturday, January 10
Venue: CorpAcq Stadium, Manchester
Kick-off: 17.30 (19.30 SAST; 18.30 CET)
Referee: Ben Breakspear (Wales)
Assistant referees: Adam Jones (Wales), Ben Connor (Wales)
TMO: Aled Griffiths (Wales)