13 Springboks start against Ulster as Sharks bolstered by Siya Kolisi and Eben Etzebeth return for first home game
Siya Kolisi and Eben Etzebeth with an inset of Sharks head coach John Plumtree.
John Plumtree has welcomed the return of the Sharks’ Springboks contingent for their first home of the season, with Siya Kolisi and Eben Etzebeth named in the starting XV.
The Durbanites host Irish province Ulster at Kings Park Stadium on Saturday, with 13 Springboks included in the run-on team, 10 of which were part of Rassie Erasmus’ squad during South Africa’s successful Rugby Championship title defence.
Returning Springboks
New signing Edwill van der Merwe has been named at full-back for the United Rugby Championship clash against Ulster in an unchanged back three from last week’s defeat to Leinster, with Makazole Mapimpi and Ethan Hooker featuring on the wings.
Andre Esterhuizen and Jurenzo Julius will combine in the centres with Siya Masuku and Grant Williams at fly-half and scrum-half, respectively.
Kolisi packs down in the number six jersey on his return to the black jersey and combines with fellow Boks Phepsi Buthelezi and captain Vincent Tshituka in the loose trio.
Etzebeth also makes his return in the starting pack where he combines with his high school teammate Marvin Orie, the pair locking down for the first time together in Sharks‘ colours, having done so previously for South Africa.
The all-Springbok pack is completed with Ox Nche reuniting with Bongi Mbonambi and Vincent Koch in the front-row, the latter duo retaining their positions from last week.
On the bench, Fez Mbatha, Simphiwe Matanzima and Ruan Dreyer provide front-row cover with Bathobele Hlekani and Emmanuel Tshituka completing the five forwards in the 5-3 split.
The team is completed by Springboks backs Jaden and Jordan Hendrikse and Lukhanyo Am.
The following players were not considered for selection due to injury: Albie Bester, Aphelele Fassi, Bradley Davids, Bryce Calvert, Coetzee le Roux, Corne Rahl, Diego Appollis, Emile van Heerden, Ethan Bester, Hanro Jacobs, Jannes Potgieter, Litelihle Bester, Phatu Ganyane, Trevor Nyakane and Yaw Penxe.
“It’s very exciting to be back playing at Hollywoodbets Kings Park this weekend,” said wing Hooker.
“I want to make my home team proud, the vibe is pretty good being back and you get that sense of a home feeling.
“We’re all keen and looking forward to going out on Saturday and performing for our fans. They can look forward to this week’s game as much as we are. We’ve trained really hard, exciting things are coming, and we hope to see a full stadium coming out in support and watching a really good game of rugby.”
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Sharks team to face Ulster
Sharks: 15 Edwill van der Merwe, 14 Ethan Hooker, 13 Jurenzo Julius, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Siya Masuku, 9 Grant Williams, 8 Phepsi Buthelezi, 7 Vincent Tshituka (c), 6 Siya Kolisi, 5 Marvin Orie, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Vincent Koch, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Ox Nche
Replacements: 16 Fez Mbatha, 17 Simphiwe Matanzima, 18 Ruan Dreyer, 19 Bathobele Hlekani, 20 Emmanuel Tshituka, 21 Jaden Hendrikse, 22 Jordan Hendrikse, 23 Lukhanyo Am
Venue: Hollywoodbets Kings Park, Durban
Kick-off: 15.00 IRE & UK / 16.00 ITA & SA
Referee: Ben Whitehouse (WRU, 111th league game)
Assistant Referees: Morne Ferreira (SARU), Sean Muller (SARU)
TMO: Ben Connor (WRU)
Live on: SuperSport, Premier Sports, Flo Rugby & URC.tv
