Sharks load up on Boks for Lions rematch

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Sharks named all their available Springboks for the United Rugby Championship rematch with the Lions in Durban on Saturday.

Loosehead prop Ox Nche makes a welcome return to the Sharks side.

He is joined in the front row by fellow Springboks Vincent Koch and Bongi Mbonambi, as coach John Plumtree has welcomed back several players to bolster his team for this SA Shield defining game.

Emile van Heerden is also back after injury, Springbok captain Siya Kolisi is also named to start after playing off the bench last week, also wearing the captain’s armband.

Lappies Labuschagne is in for the injured Vincent Tshituka is the final change to the forward pack.

Henry Immelman (on loan to the Sharks) makes his debut at fullback, having represented Montpellier, Edinburgh and more recently, the Bulls.

Grant Williams and Jordan Hendrikse will partner at halfback, with Francois Venter replacing an injured Lukhanyo Am in the final change to the starting XV.

There’s also good news on the fitness of hooker Fez Mbatha and loose forward James Venter, both of whom have been named on the bench after lengthy recovery periods.

Players who are still on the Sharks’ injury list include Boks Andre Esterhuizen, Aphelele Fassi, Eben Etzebeth and Lukhanyo Am, while Makazole Mapimpi is serving a suspension.

Other injured players include Bryce Calvert, Diego Appollis, Dylan Richardson, Gerbrandt Grobler, Jaco Williams, Khwezi Mona, Manu and Vincent Tshituka, Marnus Potgieter and Siya Masuku.

Sharks: 15 Henry Immelman, 14 Yaw Penxe, 13 Jurenzo Julius, 12 Francois Venter, 11 Ethan Hooker, 10 Jordan Hendrikse, 9 Grant Williams, 8 Siya Kolisi (captain), 7 Lappies Labuschagne, 6 Phepsi Buthelezi, 5 Emile van Heerden, 4 Jason Jenkins, 3 Vincent Koch, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Ox Nche.
Replacements: 16 Fez Mbatha, 17 Ntuthuko Mchunu, 18 Hanro Jacobs, 19 Corne Rahl, 20 James Venter, 21 Nick Hatton, 22 Jaden Hendrikse, 23 Hakeem Kunene.

Date: Saturday, March 8
Venue: Kings Park, Durban
Kick-off: 14.00 (12.00 GMT)
Referee: Morné Ferreira (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Stephan Geldenhuys (South Africa), Sean Muller (South Africa)
TMO: Quinton Immelman (South Africa)