Sharks go 'fully loaded' with Bok power
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Sharks team to play Glasgow Warriors in a United Rugby Championship Round Five encounter at Kings Park on Saturday has been bolstered by the return of several Springboks.
It is the Sharks’ first home game of the season.
Five Springboks forwards, including a Springbok front row, and three more in the backline, underline the threat the Durban side hopes to impose on their Scottish visitors.
Ox Nche, Bongi Mbonambi and Vincent Koch form an all-international front row, with the most capped-ever Bok Eben Etzebeth packing in behind them.
Etzebeth partners with Emile van Heerden in the second row and will also captain the side.
Back from his stint in France is Siyamthanda Kolisi.
The Springbok captain will link up with fellow loose forwards Emmanuel Tshituka and Phendulani Buthelezi.
Former Glenwood Boys High scholars Jaden and Jordan Hendrikse feature as the halfback pairing, while Makazole Mapimpi is back from his Bok duties, along with Lukhanyo Am and Aphelele Fassi who all add experience, skill and ability to the side in this crucial game.
The Sharks will require every possible bit of bite in their arsenal as they take on second on the standings and defending champions Glasgow, who have won three of their four fixtures.
Their only loss was in round one, away to Ulster, and then going down by a solitary point.
Unavailable for selection, through injury, is Braam Reyneke, Ethan Hooker, Francois Venter, Jean Smith, Khwezi Mona, Marnus Potgieter, Vincent Tshituka and Yaw Penxe.
Sharks: 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Eduan Keyter, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Jordan Hendrikse, 9 Jaden Hendrikse, 8 Phendulani Buthelezi, 7 Emmanuel Tshituka, 6 Siyamthanda Kolisi, 5 Emile van Heerden, 4 Eben Etzebeth (captain), 3 Vincent Koch, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Ox Nche.
Replacements: 16 Fez Mbatha, 17 Trevor Nyakane, 18 Ruan Dreyer, 19 Jason Jenkins, 20 James Venter, 21 Grant Williams, 22 Siya Masuku, 23 Jurenzo Julius.
Date: Saturday, October 19
Venue: Kings Park, Durban
Kick-off: 15.45 (14.45 UK time; 13.45 GMT)
Referee: Chris Busby
Assistant referees: Marius van der Westhuizen, Stephan Geldenhuys
TMO: Andrew Brace
