Sharks rotate pack for Lions clash
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Sharks head coach Sean Everitt has revealed his team to face the Lions in a rescheduled United Rugby Championship Round 13 clash in Durban on Saturday.
Everitt has once more had the good fortune to retain pretty much the same side that defeated the Dragons 51-3 in Durban last weekend with a couple of rotational changes thrown in to keep everyone fresh and hungry.
Reniel Hugo returns to the starting line-up with Le Roux Roets shifting to the bench while Springbok captain Siyamthanda Kolisi also gets a start for James Venter who led the Currie Cup side to victory over Griquas on Wednesday.
The final change to the pack sees Henco Venter coming in for Jeandre Labushagne who will feature off the bench later in the game.
Thomas du Toit retains the captaincy.
With eight wins and 41 points from their 14 matches to date, the Sharks are firmly entrenched in the top eight on the log, 11 ahead of the Lions who currently occupy 12th spot.
“Last week’s win over the Dragons was a really good platform for us to build on and now it’s about us building momentum,” explained Everitt.
The South African sides all have a game in hand over the top five sides on the log, so a win on Saturday for the Sharks will give their campaign a major boost.
“The log is really important at the moment and a win this week will be big for us because the other two local franchises are also playing each other and we’re fighting in the SA Shield competition,” Everitt added.
Sharks: 15 Anthony Volmink, 14 Werner Kok, 13 Ben Tapuai, 12 Marius Louw, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Curwin Bosch, 9 Jaden Hendrikse, 8 Phendulani Buthelezi, 7 Henco Venter, 6 Siyamthanda Kolisi, 5 Reniel Hugo, 4 Gerbrandt Grobler, 3 Thomas du Toit (captain), 2 Mbongeni Mbonambi, 1 Retshegofaditswe Nche.
Replacements: 16 Kerron van Vuuren, 17 Ntuthuko Mchunu, 18 Khutha Mchunu, 19 Le Roux Roets, 20 Jeandre Labushagne, 21 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 22 Grant Williams, 23 Henry Chamberlain.
Date: Saturday, April 9
Venue: Kings Park, Durban
Kick-off: 16.05 (14.05 GMT)
Referee: Ben Blain (Scotland)
Assistant referees: Cwengile Jadezweni (South Africa), Griffin Colby (South Africa)
TMO: Marius Jonker (South Africa)
💥Team Release💥
It’s time for local action as we take on the Emirates Lions this weekend!💪
ADVERTISEMENT🔗: https://t.co/nmyWaPaF1g#OurSharksForever #TacklingNewShores Vodacom #URC #SHAvLIO pic.twitter.com/kb7AIPXXIf
— The Sharks (@SharksRugby) April 7, 2022
