Masuku steers the ship for revamped Sharks
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Newly appointed head coach JP Pietersen named a vastly different team that defeated the Stormers for the rescheduled United Rugby Championship Round Eight clash against the Lions at Ellis Park on Saturday.
Pietersen’s first outing as permanent head coach of the Sharks will be challenging following the unavailability of several players.
The fixture presents another important opportunity for Pietersen and his team, who will be looking to build on the positive form shown before the competition break.
Vincent Tshituka captains the side that is without several Boks who are currently observing player welfare rest protocols.
Siya Masuku is responsible for the playmaking duties alongside Springbok Jaden Hendrikse as the halfback pairing, with Jordan Hendrikse and former Pumas scrumhalf Ross Braude on the bench to provide impact.
There are two more Boks in Vincent Koch and Phepsi Buthelezi on the replacements bench, who will provide physicality and experience when called upon.
The Sharks head into the encounter with clear objectives.
Currently ninth on the overall log, they are chasing a top-eight finish while also targeting the South African Shield.
A return of four or five log points against the Lions would see the Sharks leapfrog the eighth-placed Ospreys into the top eight.
It would also secure retention of the SA Shield (which the Sharks won last season) and place the team in a strong position with the remaining fixtures to be played.
The Lions pose a formidable challenge at home, and the Sharks are fully aware of the task ahead.
However, the group embraces the opportunity, confident that delivering a performance aligned to their potential will bring the rewards they are striving for.
Sharks: 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Edwill van der Merwe, 13 Francois Venter, 12 Jurenzo Julius, 11 Jaco Williams, 10 Siya Masuku, 9 Jaden Hendrikse, 8 Thomas Dyer, 7 Vincent Tshituka (captain), 6 Tino Mavesere, 5 Jason Jenkins, 4 Corne Rahl, 3 Hanro Jacobs, 2 Fez Mbatha, 1 Phatu Ganyane
Replacements: 16, Eduan Swart, 17 Cameron Dawson, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 Emile van Heerden, 20 Phepsi Buthelezi, 21 Ross Braude, 22 Jordan Hendrikse, 23 Yaw Penxe
Date: Saturday, February 21
Venue: Ellis Park, Johannesburg
Kick-off: 14.00 SAST (12.00 GMT)
Referee: Griffin Colby (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Aimee Barrett-Theron (South Africa), Zoe Naude (South Africa)
TMO: Quinton Immelman (South Africa)
