Siya Kolisi ‘experiment’ continues as Springboks-laden Sharks named for Stormers clash
Springboks captain Siya Kolisi and Sharks full-back Aphelele Fassi
The Sharks have welcomed back their Springboks stars for their United Rugby Championship (URC) clash against the Stormers in Durban.
The URC returns after a break for the November internationals and Sharks head coach John Plumtree has thrown his Bok stars right back into the mix for the South African derby.
This after the Durbanites defeated reigning URC champions Glasgow Warriors, having downed the previous season’s winners Munster the week prior. The Sharks will look to make it three from three against the previous champions, with inaugural winners the Stormers visiting Kings Park.
With this in mind, Plumtree has selected the strongest possible team available to him with nine Springboks in the starting line-up.
Sharks stacked with Springboks for Stormers clash
Aphelele Fassi – who played eight times for South Africa this year – returns at full-back and is joined in the back three by fellow Bok Makazole Mapimpi and rising star Ethan Hooker.
Andre Esterhuizen and Lukhanyo Am started in the midfield for Rassie Erasmus’ men against Scotland and feature in the same positions for the Sharks this weekend with Jaden Hendrikse in at nine and Siya Masuku at ten.
Plumtree’s experiment with playing Siya Kolisi at number eight continues as he skippers the team from the back of the scrum in the absence of Eben Etzebeth, who misses the clash after the injury he sustained against Wales.
Kolisi features in the back-row along with Vincent Tshituka and James Venter while Jason Jenkins and Gerbrandt Grobler are the starting locks.
After being rested by Erasmus for the Springboks’ final game of the year, Ox Nche is back in action as the starting loosehead for the Sharks and starts alongside fellow Bok Vincent Koch and hooker Dylan Richardson – who represented Scotland during the Autumn Nations Series.
Grant Williams and Jordan Hendrikse are named on the bench after returning from Springboks duty and are the two backs in the 6-2 split.
With Bongi Mbonambi missing the clash as he is on bereavement leave, 20-year-old hooker Ethan Bester is set to make his URC debut, providing front-row cover with Springbok props Ntuthuko Mchunu and Trevor Nyakane. Corne Rahl, Phepsi Buthelezi and Emmanuel Tshituka provide further cover in the pack.
Sharks team v Stormers
Sharks: 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Ethan Hooker, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Siya Masuku, 9 Jaden Hendrikse, 8 Siya Kolisi (c), 7 Vincent Tsituka, 6 James Venter, 5 Gerbrandt Grobler, 4 Jason Jenkins, 3 Vincent Koch, 2 Dylan Richardson, 1 Ox Nche
Replacements: 16 Ethan Bester, 17 Ntuthuko Mchunu, 18 Trevor Nyakane, 19 Corne Rahl, 20 Phepsi Buthelezi, 21 Emmanuel Tshituka, 22 Grant Williams, 23 Jordan Hendrikse
Players not considered for selection due to injury: Ruan Dreyer, Eben Etzebeth, Fez Mbatha, Bongi Mbonambi (bereavement), Braam Reynecke, Khwezi Mona, Marnus Potgieter, Emile van Heerden
Date: Saturday, November 30
Venue: Hollywoodbets Kings Park, Durban
Kick-off: 15.00 IRE & UK / 16.00 ITA / 17.00 SA
Referee: Marius van der Westhuizen (SARU)
Assistant Referees: Christopher Allison (SARU), Hanru van Rooyen (SARU)
TMO: Marius Jonker (SARU)
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