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Sharks make wholesale changes as Mongalo takes over

By @rugby365com
Friday 6 Jan 2023

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: After completing a tough and demanding five-match schedule that included two matches in the Champions Cup and three in the United Rugby Championship, the Sharks have rung the changes for Saturday’s URC clash with Connacht in Galway.

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Director of Rugby Neil Powell has remained in Durban to prepare for next week’s big game against Bordeaux Begles and has entrusted Currie Cup head coach Joey Mongalo with the coaching reins for this match.

Mongalo has been in the Sharks’ coaching set-up since June 2022, after exiting his role as the Bulls’ defence coach.

Reniel Hugo will lead a Sharks side that shows numerous changes, with flank Henco Venter, centre Rohan Janse van Rensburg and wing Marnus Potgieter retaining their places in the starting XV and a further six players who had roles in the matchday 23 against the Bulls included for this match.

Nevaldo Fleurs will get the No.10 duties this week and his halfback partner will be Cameron Wright.

Potgieter shifts from No.11 to No.14 with Yaw Penxe and Anthony Volmink completing the back three.

Murray Koster will partner Janse van Rensburg in the midfield.

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In the pack, Celimpilo Gumede and James Venter will join Henco Venter in the back row. Thembelani Bholi comes in to partner Hugo in the second row.

Carlü Sadie, Fezo Mbatha and Ntuthuko Mchunu will form the front row this week.

Ockie Barnard, Corne Rahl and Ethan Hooker will make their first appearances if they come off the bench.

Sharks: 15 Anthony Volmink, 14 Yaw Penxe, 13 Murray Koster, 12 Rohan Janse van Rensburg, 11 Marnus Potgieter, 10 Nevaldo Fleurs, 9 Cameron Wright, 8 Celimpilo Gumede, 7 Henco Venter, 6 James Venter, 5 Reniel Hugo (captain), 4 Thembelani Bholi, 3 Carlü Sadie, 2 Fezo Mbatha, 1 Ntuthuko Mchunu.
Replacements: 16 Kerron van Vuuren, 17 Dian Bleuler, 18 Khutha Mchunu, 19 Ockie Barnard, 20 Corne Rahl, 21 Grant Williams, 22 Lionel Cronje, 23 Ethan Hooker.

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Date: Saturday, January 7
Venue: The Sportsground, Galway
Kick-off: 17.15 (17.15 GMT; 19.15 SA time)
Referee: Adam Jones (Wales)
Assistant referees: Andrew Cole (Ireland), Robbie Jenkinson (Ireland)
TMO: Wayne Davies (Wales)

Main photo: @SharksRugby

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