Siya Kolisi among five Springboks stars returning to Sharks starting line-up to face the Stormers
The Sharks' Springboks wing Edwill van der Merwe (inset) and flanker Siya Kolisi.
The Sharks have been boosted by the return of several Springboks to their starting line-up for Saturday’s United Rugby Championship (URC) clash with the Stormers in Durban.
There is plenty of interest in the eagerly anticipated return-leg of the South African coastal derby with the Sharks looking to pull off a stunning double over their previously unbeaten opponents, after clinching a deserved 30-19 triumph in the corresponding fixture in Cape Town last week.
Despite that impressive result, Sharks interim head coach JP Pietersen has made numerous alterations to his matchday squad with the likes of Springboks captain Siya Kolisi and fellow internationals Edwill van der Merwe, Grant Williams, Vincent Tshituka and Ox Nche amongst the players who have been elevated to the run-on side.
In the backline, there are just two changes as Van der Merwe and Williams come in at the expense of Yaw Penxe and Jaden Hendrikse on the right wing and at scrum-half respectively.
Van der Merwe joins Aphelele Fassi and rookie speedster Jaco Williams in the back three while Williams and Jordan Hendrikse form the half-back combination with captain Andre Esterhuizen and Ethan Hooker continuing as the starting centres.
Positional switch in the back-row
Meanwhile, Phepsi Buthelezi shifts from the openside flank to number eight, where he comes in for Nick Hatton with Kolisi wearing the number six jersey while Tshituka replaces his younger brother Manu on the blindside flank.
In the second-row, Corne Rahl takes over from Jason Jenkins and will pack down in the engine room alongside Emile van Heerden, who retains his spot after a fine display in Cape Town.
Pietersen has also named a new front-row with Springboks star Nche taking over from Phatu Ganyane at loosehead prop while Fez Mbatha and Hanro Jacobs replace Eduan Swart and Vincent Koch respectively.
Swart, Ganyane, Koch, Jenkins and Hatton will offer forward cover off the bench while Hendrikse, Siya Masuku and Jurenzo Julius are the backline replacements.
Esterhuizen acknowledges that despite last weekend’s bonus-point victory over the Stormers, the Sharks are not getting ahead of themselves as they aim to replicate that result.
“We have a lot to improve on, we are working hard, but to know there is so much improvement ahead of us after the win last weekend is a good sign that we are on the right path,” he admitted.
“Last week was a tough and brutal game, but that’s a South African derby and you have to get up for everyone. We’re all in the right mindset, knowing that we can’t just give a once-off performance like that, we must back it up this weekend again.”
As the last game before the break for the Six Nations, Esterhuizen explains that his side will be leaving nothing out there in their quest to secure back-to-back victories over the Stormers.
“Everyone wants to go into that break in a good way; there is massive motivation for this weekend.”
Aligned with his appointment as skipper, the side’s fortunes have also changed for the better. While he is quick to credit a changed mindset under coach Pietersen, Esterhuizen’s lead-by-example play cannot be ignored.
“I’m getting used to the role and enjoying leading the team and with the backing of the boys and coaching staff, that makes it so much easier,” he said.
“I’m a big believer that you can’t tell someone to do something you wouldn’t do yourself.”
Sharks team to face the Stormers
Sharks: 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Edwill van der Merwe, 13 Ethan Hooker, 12 Andre Esterhuizen (c), 11 Jaco Williams, 10 Jordan Hendrikse, 9 Grant Williams, 8 Phepsi Buthelezi, 7 Vincent Tshituka, 6 Siya Kolisi, 5 Emile van Heerden, 4 Corne Rahl, 3 Hanro Jacobs, 2 Fez Mbatha, 1 Ox Nche
Replacements: 16 Eduan Swart, 17 Phatu Ganyane, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 Jason Jenkins, 20 Nick Hatton, 21 Jaden Hendrikse, 22 Siya Masuku, 23 Jurenzo Julius
Date: Saturday, January 31
Venue: Hollywoodbets Kings Park, Durban
Kick-off: 17:00 local (15:00 GMT)
Referee: Christopher Allison (SARU)
Assistant Referees: Griffin Colby (SARU), Jonathan Lottering (SARU)
TMO: Quinton Immelman (SARU)
Live on: SuperSport, Premier Sports, Flo Rugby
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