Sharks get a World Cup winner back for Stormers clash
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Sharks head coach John Plumtree has revealed his team to face the Stormers in a United Rugby Championship Round 10 encounter in Durban on Saturday.
World Cup-winning hooker Bongi Mbonambi returns from injury and gets a spot on the bench this week.
Loose forward Vincent Tshituka is also on the bench after returning from a long-term injury lay-off.
Replacement flyhalf Siya Masuku gets an opportunity to make his debut in the URC.
Meanwhile, the only change to the starting XV that beat the Dragons in the Challenge Cup last month comes in the second row where Le Roux Roets replaces Corne Rahl.
Springbok centre Lukhanyo Am will once again lead the team.
The Sharks enter the match in last position in the standings with just one win from nine outings.
Sharks: 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Werner Kok, 13 Lukhanyo Am (captain), 12 Francois Venter, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Curwin Bosch, 9 Jaden Hendrikse, 8 Phepsi Buthelezi, 7 Lappies Labuschagne, 6 James Venter, 5 Gerbrandt Grobler, 4 Le Roux Roets, 3 Hanro Jacobs, 2 Fez Mbatha, 1 Ox Nche.
Replacements: 16 Bongi Mbonambi, 17 Ntuthuko Mchunu, 18 Coenie Oosthuizen, 19 Hyron Andrews, 20 Vincent Tshituka, 21 Bradley Davids, 22 Siya Masuku, 23 Aphiwe Dyantyi.
Date: Saturday, February 17
Venue: Kings Park, Durban
Kick-off: 17.05 (15.05 GMT)
Referee: Morne Ferreira (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Cwengile Jadezweni (South Africa), Stephan Geldenhuys (South Africa)
TMO: Ben Crouse (South Africa)
