Sharks hit by a late injury blow ahead of Ospreys clash
INJURY NEWS: The Sharks have been forced into a late reshuffle ahead of their United Rugby Championship clash against the Ospreys, with head coach JP Pietersen dealing with yet another injury setback.
Already dealing with a long list of injuries in the backline, including Aphelele Fassi, Yaw Penxe, Jaco Williams and Luan Gilliomee, the Sharks will now be without Jurenzo Julius.
The versatile back had been named on the bench but will be replaced by Springbok wing Makazole Mapimpi, adding experience to the matchday squad.
The Sharks’ injury concerns remain significant, with more than 20 players sidelined – including captain Siya Kolisi.
Amid the disruption, there is excitement around the inclusion of 18-year-old fullback Zekhethelo Siyaya, who is set to make his senior debut.
The youngster helped Westville Boys’ High School achieve an unbeaten season in 2025, and he represented the Junior Springboks earlier this year against Georgia.
He has represented the province at Under-16 and U18 level, as well as SA U18, scoring a brace of tries in the country’s defeat of their junior Irish counterparts.
Hollywoodbets Sharks – revised: 15 Zekhethelo Siyaya, 14 Edwill van der Merwe, 13 Le Roux Malan, 12 Andre Esterhuizen (captain), 11 Ethan Hooker, 10 Jean Smith, 9 Jaden Hendrikse, 8 Manu Tshituka, 7 Vincent Tshituka, 6 Phepsi Buthelezi, 5 Emile van Heerden, 4 Jason Jenkins, 3 Hanro Jacobs, 2 Fez Mbatha, 1 Phatu Ganyane.
Replacements: 16 Eduan Swart, 17 Ox Nche, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 Corne Rahl, 20 Nick Hatton, 21 Bradley Davids, 22 Siya Masuku, 23 Makazole Mapimpi.
Date: Saturday, April 18
Venue: Electric Brewery Field, Bridgend
Kick-off: 19:45 (20:45 SAST; 17:45 GMT)
Referee: Mike Adamson (Scotland)
Assistant referees: Craig Evans (Wales), Marcus Caudle (Wales)
TMO: Andrew McMenemy (Scotland)
