Bosch gets captain's armband for clash against Stormers
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The historic rivalry between the Sharks and Stormers continues this Saturday when the two teams meet in their return leg United Rugby Championship clash at Cape Town Stadium.
Sharks Director of Rugby Neil Powell has made several changes to last week’s side that played against Ulster.
The front row is completely rejigged, with Dian Bleuler coming in for Ntuthuko Mchunu and Fezokuhle Mbatha and Hanro Jacobs taking over from Dan Jooste and Carlü Sadie respectively.
In the second row, Reniel Hugo makes way for Emile van Heerden, with Henco Venter replacing Dylan Richardson and Sikhumbuzo Notshe starting at eighthman for Phepsi Buthelezi.
The captaincy reins have been handed to Curwin Bosch this week as the Sharks flyhalf continues his growth and adds to his contribution to the team.
Powell has made just two changes in the backline, welcoming back Aphelele Fassi who starts on the wing in place of Thaakir Abrahams after returning from injury, while Marnus Potgieter has been moved to outside centre, where he will partner Rohan Janse van Rensburg.
With a five-point margin separating the Stormers from third-placed Ulster, the pressure is on them to maintain their position on the log, while the Sharks are themselves well aware of teams below them putting on a chase for a top-eight finish.
The seventh-placed Sharks also have a five-point buffer [over Connacht] and a win would propel them higher up the log.
Sharks: 15 Boeta Chamberlain, 14 Werner Kok, 13 Marnus Potgieter, 12 Rohan Janse van Rensburg, 11 Aphelele Fassi, 10 Curwin Bosch (captain), 9 Grant Williams, 8 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 7 Vincent Tshituka, 6 Henco Venter, 5 Gerbrandt Grobler, 4 Emile van Heerden, 3 Hanro Jacobs, 2 Fezokuhle Mbatha, 1 Dian Bleuler.
Replacements: 16 Kerron van Vuuren, 17 Ntuthuko Mchunu, 18 Carlu Sadie, 19 Lappies Labuschagne, 20 James Venter, 21 Phepsi Buthelezi, 22 Cameron Wright. 23 Yaw Penxe.
Date: Saturday, March 4
Venue: Cape Town Stadium, Cape Town
Kick-off: 14.30 (12.30 GMT)
Referee: AJ Jacobs (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Marius van der Westhuizen (South Africa), Cwengile Jadezweni (South Africa)
TMO: Marius Jonker (South Africa)
💢@THESTORMERS‘ new official home the Cape Town Stadium will be sporting a new synthetic pitch.
🏉To read more, CLICK HERE: https://t.co/Iu2vqO3QJf#rugby #sports #Rugby365 #URC #CapeTownStadium #CapeTown pic.twitter.com/0dC0M6ZD8k— rugby365.com (@rugby365com) March 2, 2023
