Sharks add more Bok muscle for Leinster
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Sharks host Leinster in one of their biggest tests of the United Rugby Championship this season, looking to continue to make fortress Kings Park a tough place to visit.
Leinster arrive in Durban off the back of a last-gasp loss to the Bulls in Pretoria last week and the table-topping Irish giants will look to leave South African shores on a positive note.
The Sharks, unbeaten at home this campaign, will have quite the opposite ambition of sending the visitors back to Ireland with a none-from-two record and continue to make their home ground a place to be feared.
Sharks coach John Plumtree has largely stuck with last week’s side, making two personnel changes and two positional switches for this key game.
James Venter and Springbok Andre Esterhuizen will both wear starting jerseys, after featuring off the bench last week.
Venter replaces Phepsi Buthelezi, while Esterhuizen is part of a rejig of the backline which sees Ethan Hooker switch from centre to wing as Yaw Penxe takes over from the injured Henry Immelman at fullback.
Players unavailable for selection due to injury include Aphelele Fassi, Bryce Calvert, Dylan Richardson, Eben Etzebeth, Gerbrandt Grobler, Grant Williams, Hanro Jacobs, Henry Immelman, Jaco Williams, Khwezi Mona, Lukhanyo Am and Marnus Potgieter.
Sharks: 15 Yaw Penxe, 14 Ethan Hooker, 13 Jurenzo Julius, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Jordan Hendrikse, 9 Jaden Hendrikse, 8 Siya Kolisi (captain), 7 Vincent Tshituka, 6 James Venter, 5 Emile van Heerden, 4 Jason Jenkins, 3 Vincent Koch, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Ox Nche.
Replacements: 16 Fez Mbatha, 17 Ntuthuko Mchunu, 18 Ruan Dreyer, 19 Corne Rahl, 20 Manu Tshituka, 21 Bradley Davids, 22 Siya Masuku, 23 Francois Venter.
Date: Saturday, March 29
Venue: Kings Park, Durban
Kick-off: 19.15 (17.15 UK & Ireland time; 17.15 GMT)
Referee: Ben Breakspear (Wales)
Assistant referees: Christopher Allison (South Africa), Hanru van Rooyen (South Africa)
TMO: Ben Whitehouse (Wales)
* Picture credit: Steve Haag Sports
