Plumtree gives Cronje a start against Munster
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Sharks head coach John Plumtree has revealed his team to face Munster in their United Rugby Championship opener in Limerick on Saturday.
Springbok prop Coenie Oosthuizen, who is back with the Sharks after a four-year stint with Sale, will start in the No.3 jersey.
The other notable selection is at No.8 with George Cronje making his debut for the Sharks after joining from the Cheetahs.
He is joined in the back row by Phepsi Buthelezi and James Venter.
The second row consists of Reniel Hugo and Emile van Heerden, while Oosthuizen is joined in the front row by Kerron van Vuuren and Ntuthuko Mchunu.
In the backline, Curwin Bosch gets the No.10 jersey and his halfback partner is Cameron Wright.
Francois Venter will lead the team from the midfield and his partner will be Murray Koster.
Boeta Chamberlain, Werner Kok and Marnus Potgieter will form the back three.
Sharks: 15 Boeta Chamberlain, 14 Werner Kok, 13 Murray Koster, 12 Francois Venter (captain), 11 Marnus Potgieter, 10 Curwin Bosch, 9 Cameron Wright, 8 George Cronje, 7 Phepsi Buthelezi, 6 James Venter, 5 Reniel Hugo, 4 Emile van Heerden, 3 Coenie Oosthuizen, 2 Kerron van Vuuren, 1 Ntuthuko Mchunu.
Replacements: 16 Dan Jooste, 17 Dian Bleuler, 18 Hanro Jacobs, 19 Vincent Tshituka, 20 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 21 Zee Mkhabela, 22 Rohan Janse van Rensburg, 23 Aphelele Fassi.
Date: Saturday, October 21
Venue: Thomond Park, Limerick
Kick-off: 17.15 (16.15 GMT; 18.15 SAST)
Referee: Gianluca Gnecchi (Italy)
Assistant referees: Jonathan Erskine (Ireland) & Andrew Fogarty (Ireland)
TMO: Stefano Penne (Italy)
