Sharks load-up Boks for Bulls showdown 

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Sharks welcome the return of several Springboks ahead of their Round 8 United Rugby Championship clash against the Bulls at Kings Park.

Springbok centre Andre Esterhuizen provides some insight into where the team is at right now as they prepare for the big game.

“Coming off a tough loss in the EPCR, bouncing back is our main priority,” he explains.

“Training has gone well, it’s a local derby, the Bulls are always tough and we’re bracing ourselves for a big challenge.”

With an enviable home record in recent times, Esterhuizen admits that they are keen to keep it that way.

“You want to win all your home games because that makes things so much easier in the competition, especially with all the travel.

“If you make sure of winning at home, any points away are a bonus.

“Durban is a tough place to come and play, the weather and humidity are big factors, and we as a team want to make it tough to come and play here.

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“We want to make it hard, physical and very fast and the more we can do that, put teams under pressure, the better.

“Winning at home means a lot to us and the fans, having more fans in the stadium is what we want and that makes it easier for us when we play.

“Being at home is a massive boost, you have your own fans behind you, we have sold out crowd, which we really appreciate.

“The fans have been showing up in numbers in the last few games and that’s been great for us. We feel we’re on the right track.

“It’s not going to be easy on Saturday as the Bulls arrive in Durban also off a Champions Cup loss last weekend, and as traditional rivals, always offer a huge challenge.

“Historically, playing the Bulls is always tough from a physicality point of view, it’s a north-south derby that’s always been great to play in.

“It’s going to be a physical challenge, we know them well, they know us well.”

Sharks: 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Yaw Penxe, 13 Ethan Hooker, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Jordan Hendrikse, 9 Jaden Hendrikse, 8 Siya Kolisi (captain), 7 Manu Tshituka, 6 Phepsi Buthelezi, 5 Emile van Heerden, 4 Jason Jenkins, 3 Vincent Koch, 2 Dylan Richardson, 1 Ox Nche.
Replacements: 16 Ethan Bester, 17 Ruan Dreyer, 18 Trevor Nyakane, 19 Corne Rahl, 20 Nick Hatton, 21 Cameron Wright, 22 Siya Masuku, 23 Jurenzo Julius.

Date: Saturday, December 21
Venue: Kings Park, Durban
Kick-off: 18.00 (16.00 GMT)
Referee: Morné Ferreira (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Aimee Barrett-Theron (South Africa), Griffin Colby (South Africa)
TMO: Quinton Immelman (South Africa)