Sharks tweak as another Bok joins the injury list
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Sharks side to take on Cardiff in Friday evening’s United Rugby Championship clash has a settled look about it as the team looks to continue their march towards a top 8 finish.
Head coach JP Pietersen has opted not to tinker too much with the side that smashed Munster last week, adopting the motto: ‘Don’t fix what ain’t broke’ as his sideline up the fifth-placed Welsh for a date at the Tank.
Pietersen has rewarded the pack for their outstanding effort by retaining the same line-up, while two changes have been enacted amongst the backs, Bradley Davids coming in for injured Grant Williams at scrumhalf, while Ethan Hooker is back from family responsibility leave to partner captain Andre Esterhuizen in the midfield.
Something the team will be looking to continue is the sheer joy derived from playing the game they love. Last week, the eruption of jubilation in celebrating a teammate’s massive milestone and the two tries he scored prove why he is such a valuable member of the side.
And more so, how much of a brotherhood exists in the team.
Emile van Heerden, gave insights from a player’s point of view of what Makazole Mapimpi – playing in his 101st game for the franchise – brings to the team.
“He means a lot to South African rugby, not just the Sharks, and playing 100 games is something to be celebrated. What made it even sweeter was him scoring two tries at the end.
“We want to make it special when it’s an occasion, be it your 100th game, your 50th or even your first.
“So a big win over Munster was a sweet finish.”
Sharks: 15 Lua Giliomee, 14 Yaw Penxe, 13 Ethan Hooker, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Jordan Hendrikse, 9 Bradley Davids, 8 Nick Hatton, 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 Jannes Potgieter, 21 Jaden Hendrikse / Ross Braude, 22 Jean Smith, 23 Le Roux Malan
Date: Friday, March 27
Venue: Hollywoodbets Kings Park, Durban
Kick-off: 19.00 (17.00 GMT; 17.00 UK Time)
Referee: Gianluca Gnecchi
Assistant Referees: Morne Ferreira, Jonathan Lottering
TMO: Marius van der Westhuizen
