Sharks are fully loaded for Edinburgh clash

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Sharks have loaded their side with Springboks for their Round 15 United Rugby Championship clash with Edinburgh in Scotland’s cultural heart on Friday evening.

The behemoth Eben Etzebeth is back and will lead the Sharks this weekend after returning from the injury he sustained in early December.

The Sharks have hardly lost a game this season when Etzebeth has played for them.

It has been six months since head coach John Plumtree was able to select his strongest possible side, and that is a big plus for the team, who also welcome back Lukhanyo Am and Aphelele Fassi to the starting line-up and Grant Williams on the bench.

“The squad is back to full strength for the first time since the game against Glasgow, which is good, that was a long time ago, and hopefully we will keep all the bodies nice and healthy in the build-up to the finals,” explained Plumtree on the eve of the match.

“We’ve had good preparation, although we haven’t played for a couple of weeks, and we just want to have a good tour, try and set ourselves up for a home quarter and potentially a home semi if we win our next four games. But for now, our focus is to do well on this tour.”

The Sharks’ two-match tour will do more than just determine whether they finish at the top of the log; it will also make it clearer whether this season has been a success for them or another failure.

Beating Edinburgh, currently in eighth spot in the standings, will also help out the Stormers (10th) and Lions (14th).

“Edinburgh is going to be a tough game, they’re in good form and their confidence will be really high, so we know it’s going to be a tough match,” Plumtree added.

“Winning URC games away from home isn’t easy, and it certainly hasn’t been easy for us as a team in the past, so it would be great if we have a good performance against Edinburgh.”

Sharks: 15 Aphelele Fassie, 14 Ethan Hooker, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Jordan Hendrikse, 9 Jaden Hendrikse, 8 Siya Kolisi, 7 Vincent Tshituka, 6 Phepsi Buthelezi, 5 Emile van Heerden, 4 Eben Etzebeth (captain), 3 Vincent Koch, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Ox Nche
Replacements: 16 Fez Mbatha, 17 Ntuthuko Mchunu, 18 Hanro Jacobs, 19 Jason Jenkins, 20 James Venter, 21 Grant Williams, 22 Siya Masuku, 23 Jurenzo Julius

Date: Friday, April 18
Venue: Hive Stadium, Edinburgh
Kick-off: 19.35 IRE & UK / 20.35 ITA / 20.35 SA
Referee: Andrew Brace (Ireland)
Assistant Referees: Mike Adamson (Scotland), Jonny Perriam (Scotland)
TMO: Brian McNeice (Ireland)