Sharks to unleash Bok brutes on Scarlets
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Sharks Director of Rugby Neil Powell had the pleasure of a full squad to select from and has chosen a Springbok-heavy side to take on Scarlets this Saturday at the Parc Y Scarlets in Wales.
After an enforced break due to this year’s World Cup, the Springboks have been unleashed on the United Rugby Championship once more – as they look to maintain a hold on a place in the knock-out rounds.
Scarlets have not quite enjoyed the success this season they would have hoped for and languish near the bottom of the log, in 14th position.
Last year’s fixture, at Kings Park, ended in a 37-20 victory for the Sharks – a bonus point win with many of the same players who will do duty in this season’s clash, almost exactly a year later.
However, no team can be written off and the Springboks in the Sharks side will be bringing their own level of intensity, leadership, character and standards that will drive their teammates to deliver a special performance.
Springbok captain Siyamthanda Kolisi leads the team out and his all-Bok front row of Retshegofaditswe Nché, Mbongeni Mbonambi and Thomas du Toit will be called upon to deliver results upfront.
Throw in Eben Etzebeth and you know this is a pack that will back down for nothing.
An athletic and mobile back row will provide impetus on attack.
Springbok halfbacks Jaden Hendrikse and Curwin Bosch will be called on to direct traffic.
Then there’s the powerful duo of Rohan Janse van Rensburg and Lukhanyo Am to keep everything in the midfield under control, while the likes of Makazole Mapimpi and co, will be called upon to deliver the flair on the outside.
Sharks; 15 Boeta Chamberlain, 14 Werner Kok, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 Rohan Janse van Rensburg, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Curwin Bosch, 9 Jaden Hendrikse, 8 Phendulani Buthelezi, 7 Vincent Tshituka, 6 Siyamthanda Kolisi (captain), 5 Emile van Heerden, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Mbongeni Mbonambi, 1 Retshegofaditswe Nché.
Replacements: 16 Kerron van Vuuren, 17 Ntuthuko Mchunu, 18 Carlü Sadie, 19 Gerbrandt Grobler, 20 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 21 Grant Williams, 22 Ben Tapuai, 23 Thaakir Abrahams.
Date: Saturday, March 25
Venue: Parc Y Scarlets, Llanelli
Kick-off: 17.00 (17.00 GMT; 19.00 SA time)
Referee: Eoghan Cross (Ireland)
Assistant referees: Ian Davies (Wales), Jason Griffiths (Wales)
TMO: Leo Colgan (Ireland)
