Sharks unveil powerful side for Bordeaux clash
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Sharks Director of Rugby Neil Powell has picked a powerful side to take on Union Bordeaux-Bègles in Saturday’s Round Three Champions Cup clash at Kings Park.
With a heavy workload and playing in two concurrent tournaments, player rotation and welfare become primary concerns for the Sharks.
The Sharks gave most of their big names a break last week in the United Rugby Championship against Connacht in Galway.
There are minimal changes from the Springbok-laden side that defeated the Bulls in their last home match, with Vincent Tshituka coming in for Henco Venter on the flank in the only change to the pack.
Amongst the backs, Jaden Hendrikse replaces Grant Williams at scrumhalf and Wallaby international Ben Tapuai returns at inside centre for Rohan Janse van Rensburg who will feature off the bench.
Bordeaux have not enjoyed the kind of success they would have hoped for and will come to Durban under pressure to perform. Equally, the pressure isn’t off for the Sharks side despite having won both of their games in their first season of Champions Cup rugby. But it’s a good form of pressure.
“We’re putting a big emphasis on the Champions Cup, but in the same breath, we’re also under a bit of pressure in the URC with the resting period coming up for some of the Boks. We really need to perform in the URC too and there is equal emphasis on performing in both competitions,” Sharks prop Thomas du Toit admitted in the build-up to the match.
“But we aren’t looking too far ahead. The biggest and most important match is the next one and we’re treating it like that.
“We will look to play for the full 80 minutes, it’s something we strive towards and something we got close to against the Bulls when we started and ended well.
“It’s something we’ve spoken about, tried to improve and it’s a big target for most teams: to get that perfect 80-minute performance.”
Sharks: 15 Henry Chamberlain, 14 Marnus Potgieter, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 Ben Tapuai, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Curwin Bosch, 9 Jaden Hendrikse, 8 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 7 Vincent Tshituka, 6 Siyamthanda Kolisi (captain), 5 Gerbrandt Grobler, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Mbongeni Mbonambi, 1 Retshegofaditswe Nche.
Replacements: 16 Kerron van Vuuren, 17 Ntuthuko Mchunu, 18 Carlü Sadie, 19 Hyron Andrews, 20 Phendulani Buthelezi, 21 Cameron Wright, 22 Lionel Cronje, 23 Rohan Janse van Rensburg.
Date: Saturday, January 14
Venue: Kings Park, Durban
Kick-off: 17.15 (16.15 France time; 15.15 GMT)
Referee: Luke Pearce (England)
Assistant Referees: Christophe Ridley (England) & Jamie Leahy (England)
TMO: Tom Foley (England)
