'New look' Sharks return to Loftus
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Sharks coach Sean Everitt has named a vastly different team from the pre-season outing when they return to Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.
The Sharks to take on the Bulls in Saturday’s Super Rugby Unlocked Round Three clash.
While the pre-season outing – which the Bulls won 49-28, after taking a 35-0 lead in a devastating first half performance in Pretoria – was more about giving an extended Sharks squad game time.
However, this week Everitt has named a very strong matchday 23.
Everitt has been able to bring back three players from injury to bolster the side and has made just one change to in the starting XV that defeated the Lions in Round One.
Back from injury is World Cup-winning Springbok wing Sibusiso Nkosi, who returns to the starting line-up in place of veteran Bok JP Pietersen.
Hooker Kerron van Vuuren and loose forward Henco Venter have both been passed fit, but have been named to come off the bench in their first matches since the COVID-19-enforced suspension of the Super Rugby competition back in March.
Also named on the bench is the hugely exciting Yaw Penxe, who was last seen in action in the Green vs Gold match at Newlands.
The 23-year-old, who hails from Queenstown in the Eastern Cape, came to prominence for the Southern Kings – before starring in the Green team’s 25-9 victory over the Gold team early in October and has come to Durban on loan.
Sharks: 15 Manie Libbok, 14 Sibusiso Nkosi, 13 Lukhanyo Am (captain), 12 Marius Louw, 11 Werner Kok, 10 Curwin Bosch, 9 Sanele Nohamba, 8 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 7 Phepsi Buthelezi, 6 James Venter, 5 Hyron Andrews, 4 Ruben van Heerden, 3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Dylan Richardson, 1 Retshegofaditswe Nché.
Replacements: 16 Kerron van Vuuren, 17 Mzamo Majola, 18 John-Hubert Meyer, 19 JJ van der Mescht, 20 Henco Venter, 21 Grant Williams, 22 Jeremy Ward, 23 Yaw Penxe.
Date: Saturday, October 24
Venue: Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
Kick-off: 19.00 (17.00 GMT)
Referee: Jaco Peyper
Assistant referees: Marius van der Westhuizen, Paul Mente
TMO: AJ Jacobs
