Beast blow for Sharks
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Sharks were dealt a cruel blow ahead of their crucial Super Rugby Round 12 encounter with the Crusaders.
Veteran Springbok prop Tendai Mtawarira has returned home from the team’s Australasian tour with an MCL injury to his left knee.
He will be sent for scans to determine the extent of his injury.
Khutha Mchunu has joined the team as the replacement prop.
The Crusaders host the Sharks in a top two Super Rugby match on Friday in the team’s second tour match, looking to build on last week’s win over the Waratahs.
The Sharks leapt into second spot on the table off the back of a powerful physical effort against the Waratahs and coach Robert du Preez is expecting his team to deliver a similar effort against the Crusaders.
The Sharks coach has not tinkered too much with last week’s successful side, making just a couple of changes to the team playing the Crusaders.
Thomas du Toit will revert to the loosehead side of the scrum in place of the injured Mtawarira.
Coenie Oosthuizen starts at tighthead.
Ruan Botha, after making his comeback from injury last week off the bench will start this match – with Hyron Andrews given respite after a sustained period of rugby, although he has been named amongst the reserves.
There is just one change in the backline, Louis Schreuder returning to the starting line-up and taking back the captaincy armband worn by Mtawarira against the Waratahs.
Sharks: 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Sibusiso Nkosi, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Curwin Bosch, 9 Louis Schreuder (captain), 8 Daniel du Preez, 7 Jean-Luc du Preez, 6 Philip van der Walt, 5 Ruan Botha, 4 Ruben van Heerden, 3 Coenie Oosthuizen, 2 Kerron van Vuuren, 1 Thomas du Toit.
Replacements: 16 Armand van der Merwe, 17 Mzamo Majola, 18 John-Hubert Meyer, 19 Hyron Andrews, 20 Jacques Vermeulen, 21 Cameron Wright, 22 Robert du Preez, 23 Marius Louw.
Date: Friday, May 3
Venue: Christchurch Stadium, Christchurch
Kick-off: 19.35 (09.35 SA time; 07.35 GMT)
Referee: Brendon Pickerill
Assistant referees: Mike Fraser, James Munro
TMO: Glen Newman
