Sharks make wholesale changes for Ospreys clash
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Sharks head coach Sean Everitt has revealed his team for their United Rugby Championship Round Three clash against Ospreys in Swansea on Friday.
There are a number of changes to the side that lost 24-35 to the Glasgow Warriors in Round Two.
In the front row, Ntuthuko Mchunu comes in for Khwezi Mona and Kerron van Vuuren for Fez Mbatha (injured) who has not recovered from a knock that he took against Glasgow.
Thomas du Toit is retained at tighthead prop and has also been handed the captaincy role in the absence of Phepsi Buthelezi, who plays off the bench this week.
Hyron Andrews and Ruben van Heerden make a return as the lock partnership, with Le Roux Roets getting a break, while James Venter comes in for Dylan Richardson with Henco Venter named at No.8.
In the midfield, Marius Louw and Jeremy Ward will partner up in place of Murray Koster and Werner Kok while Marnus Potgieter replaces Yaw Penxe and Anthony Volmink will start at fullback in place of Curwin Bosch.
Potgieter, Volmink and Dan Jooste (on the bench) will be making their URC debuts in this match.
Sharks: 15 Anthony Volmink, 14 Marnus Potgieter, 13 Jeremy Ward, 12 Marius Louw, 11 Thaakir Abrahams, 10 Boeta Chamberlain, 9 Ruan Pienaar, 8 Henco Venter, 7 Gerbrandt Grobler, 6 James Venter, 5 Hyron Andrews, 4 Ruben van Heerden, 3 Thomas du Toit (captain), 2 Kerron van Vuuren, 1 Ntuthuko Mchunu.
Replacements: 16 Dan Jooste, 17 Khwezi Mona, 18 Lourens Adriaanse, 19 Le Roux Roets, 20 Phepsi Buthelezi, 21 Dylan Richardson, 22 Sanele Nohamba, 23 Werner Kok.
Date: Friday, October 8
Venue: Liberty Stadium, Swansea
Kick-off: 19.35 (20.35 SA time; 18.35 GMT)
Referee: Frank Murphy (Ireland)
Assistant referees: Craig Evans (Wales), Carwyn Williams (Wales)
TMO: Leo Colgan (Ireland)
The Cell C Sharks’ Vodacom United Rugby Championship focus now shifts to Wales, where we take on Ospreys in Round 3 this Friday 🦈#TacklingNewShores #OurSharksForever #URC pic.twitter.com/a70IoKYyDs
— The Sharks (@SharksRugby) October 6, 2021
