Phepsi leads Sharks against Lions
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Phepsi Buthelezi will lead the Sharks side against the Lions in the United Rugby Champions at Kings Park in Durban on Friday.
Director of Rugby Neil Powel has made some wholesale changes to the side that had two weeks of successful Champions Cup rugby and a run of three straight victories across two competitions.
The much anticipated sibling rivalry between the Tshituka brothers, Vincent for the Sharks and Emmanuel for the Lions, might not live up to the initial expectations as the older Vincent runs out at lock. He replaces Eben Etzebeth.
It’s been a demanding month and the time has come for balancing the management of player welfare with the need to continue their good form. To this end, Director of Rugby Neil Powell has made several changes to the side that defeated Bordeaux Begles last week as he looks to both keep the players fresh as well as broadening the squad’s match fitness.
Thomas du Toit shifts over to the loosehead side of the front row with Dan Jooste replacing Bongi Mbonambi at hooker and Carlu Sadie named at tighthead.
Siya Kolisi and Sikhumbuzo Notshe swap jerseys with Jeandre Labuschagne back in the side and completing the loose forward trio.
Amongst the backline changes, Grant Williams is given a starting opportunity at scrumhalf with Jaden Hendrikse playing off the bench, while there is a new midfield pairing of Rohan Janse van Rensburg and Lukhanyo Am, in for Ben Tapuai and Francois Venter respectively.
Sharks: 15 Boeta Chamberlain, 14 Werner Kok, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 Rohan Janse van Rensburg, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Curwin Bosch, 9 Grant Williams, 8 Phepsi Buthelezi (captain), 7 Jeandre Labuschagne, 6 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 5 Hyron Andrews, 4 Vincent Tshituka, 3 Carlu SAdie, 2 Dan Jooste, 1 Thomas du Toit.
Replacements: 16 Kerron van Vuuren, 17 Dian Bleuler, 18 Hanro Jacobs, 19 Gerbrandt Grobler, 20 Siya Kolisi, 21 Jaden Hendrikse, 22 Lionel Cronje, 23 Ben Tapuai.
Date: Friday, December 23
Venue: Kings Park, Durban
Kick-off: 17.00 (15.00 GMT)
Referee: Aimee Barrett-Theron (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Stephan Geldenhuys (South Africa) and Paul Mente (South Africa)
TMO: Marius van der Westhuisen (South Africa)
