Siya Kolisi absent as JP Pietersen has ‘no hesitation’ in unleashing schoolboy sensation on Ospreys

SA Schools full-back Zekhethelo Siyaya will make his Sharks and United Rugby Championship (URC) debut this weekend against the Ospreys.

The Durban-based franchise are dealing with a full-back crisis as they launch a late bid to make the quarter-finals of the URC, with Aphelele Fassi, Hakeem Kunene, and Luan Giliomee currently sidelined, with utility backs Jaco Williams, Yaw Penxe, and Jordan Hendrikse also missing the trip to Wales.

Zekhethelo Siyaya debuts for the Sharks

Despite that fact, the franchise states that head coach JP Pietersen has “had no hesitation” in handing the talented Siyaya his first start at full-back.

The 18-year-old former Westville Boys High star has represented the Sharks at under-16 and under-18 levels, as well as the South African schools team, scoring a double in the victory over Ireland last year.

He starts in the back-three along with Springboks Edwill van der Merwe and Ethan Hooker, while Andre Esterhuizen returns to captain the team from inside centre and is partnered by Le Roux Malan. Jaden Hendrikse returns from injury to start at scrum-half, with Jean Smith named in the number 10 jumper.

Into the pack and Siya Kolisi, who has travelled with the squad, has not been included in the matchday 23, with Pietersen delaying his return for the time being. Instead, Manu Tshituka packs down at number eight with Vincent Tshituka and Phepsi Buthelezi included on the flanks.

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Emile van Heerden and Jason Jenkins start in the second-row, while props Hanro Jacobs and Phatu Ganyane will pack down either side of hooker Fez Mbatha.

Pietersen has selected a 5-3 bench split with Springboks props Ox Nche and Vincent Koch providing forward cover along with hooker Eduan Swart, lock Corne Rahl and back-rower Nick Hatton. Bradley Davids, Siya Masuku and Jurnezo Julius are three backline replacements.

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“The mood in the camp is really good,” captain Andre Esterhuizen said ahead of the team’s departure to Wales.

“We know we’re building something here and we know we basically need to win four out of four games to stand a chance to get into the top 8. The group is really motivated, we’ve had good chats, good training sessions and we’re looking forward to the challenge ahead.

“We haven’t been the best on the road this year, but that’s something we’re looking to rectify. We know we can play, we have the squad to do that and it’s about doing that every single weekend.”

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Sharks team v Ospreys

Hollywoodbets Sharks: 15 Zekhethelo Siyaya, 14 Edwill van der Merwe, 13 Le Roux Malan, 12 Andre Esterhuizen (c), 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 Jurenzo Julius

Venue: Electric Brewery Field, Bridgend
Kick-off: 19.45 IRE & UK / 20.45 ITA & SA
Referee: Mike Adamson (SRU, 97th league game)
Assistant referees: Craig Evans (WRU), Marcus Caudle (WRU)
TMO: Andrew McMenemy (SRU)
Live on: Premier Sports, SuperSport, Flo Rugby & URC.tv

READ MORE: Springboks legends’ verdict on Faf de Klerk’s ‘unbelievable’ South Africa return