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BlitzBok rookie makes Sharks debut

By Angus Opperman
Thursday 19 Mar 2026

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Two Springboks in the starting line-up will reach their respective franchise milestones, whilst a BlitzBok SVNS Series winner will make his Sharks debut against Munster.

Head coach JP Pietersen has made eight changes to his team, including the return of Siya Kolisi to the starting line-up, where the Bok captain earns his 50th cap.

There is also a shuffle in the front row, with Phatu Ganyane, Fez Mbatha and Hanro Jacobs swapping jerseys with Ox Nche, Eduan Swart and Vincent Koch, who started the last match.

Amongst the backs, Grant Williams starts in place of the injured Jaden Hendrikse, while Ethan Hooker is back to partner captain Andre Esterhuizen in the midfield, and Yaw Penxe takes over from Edwill van der Merwe on the wing.

In the final change, Sharks Under-21 star and new kid on the block for the BlitzBoks, Luan Giliomee, gets a start at fullback, replacing Jaco Williams.

Bok wing Makazole Mapimpi will run out for his 100th Sharks cap, joining an elite group of centurions to have worn the coveted Black and White jersey on 100 occasions or more.

While the immediate ambition for the team is to enjoy a successful outing against the Irish, the fight for a top-eight finish remains a priority that the team cannot lose sight of.

“We know what a challenge it’s going to be, but there is hope and belief, and a big drive to get results because we know we can’t afford any errors,” explained flyhalf Jordan Hendrikse in the build-up to the match.

Sharks: 15 Luan Giliomee, 14 Yaw Penxe, 13 Ethan Hooker, 12 Andre Esterhuizen (captain), 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Jordan Hendrikse, 9 Grant Williams, 8 Phepsi Buthelezi, 7 Vincent Tshituka, 6 Siya Kolisi, 5 Emile van Heerden, 4 Jason Jenkins, 3 Hanro Jacobs, 2 Fez Mbatha, 1 Phatu Ganyane
Replacements: 16 Eduan Swart, 17 Ox Nche, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 Corne Rahl, 20 Nick Hatton, 21 Bradley Davids, 22 Jean Smith, 23 Hakeen Kunene

Date: Saturday, March 21
Venue: HollywoodBets Kings Park, Durban
Kick-off: 17.00 (15.00 GMT)
Referee: Sam Grove-White (Scotland)
Assistant referees: Morne Ferreira (South Africa), Christopher Allison (South Africa)
TMO: Hollie Davidson (Scotland)

Players not considered for selection due to injury:
Aphelele Fassi, Bongi Mbonambi, Bryce Calvert, Ethan Bester, Francois Venter, Jaco Williams, Jaden Hendrikse, Jurenzo Julius, Lili Bester, Manu Tshituka, Marvin Orie, Matt Romao, Ruan Dreyer, Siya Masuku, Tinotenda Mavesere, Trevor Nyakane

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