Siya Kolisi makes a positional switch as Springboks-laden Sharks named for Munster humdinger
Siya Kolisi will start in a different position for the Sharks in their URC clash against Munster.
For a second week in a row, John Plumtree has named a Springboks-laden Sharks team with Siya Kolisi shifting positions for the clash against Munster.
The Bok stars returned en masse for the Durban-based side’s first home game of the United Rugby Championship clash against Glasgow Warriors last week.
And despite having only had two training sessions as a squad, they delivered an impressive 28-24 victory over the defending URC champions who scored two late tries to close the gap on the scoreline.
With this being the last chance that the Sharks are able to select their Springboks before Rassie Erasmus’ squad heads to the United Kingdom, Plumtree has seized the opportunity to field a near-full-strength team.
Sharks team to tackle Munster
The big change to the side sees Springboks captain Kolisi shift to number eight from his usual spot in the six jersey. His void on the side of the scrum is filled by James Venter – who is promoted from the bench – while Vincent Tshituka makes his return from injury. This also means that Vincent’s brother Emmanuel Tshituka drops out of the matchday 23 and Phepsi Buthelezi moves to the bench.
Meanwhile, the tight-five remains the same with Eben Etzebeth captaining the team from the second row where he partners Emile van Heerden with an all-Springboks front row in the form of tighthead Vincent Koch, hooker Bongi Mbonambi and loosehead Ox Nche.
After scoring a try off the bench against Glasgow Warriors, Grant Williams trades jerseys with Jaden Hendrikse, the latter primed to make an impact off the bench while Jordan Hendrikse is retained as the starting fly-half.
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Andre Esterhuizen, who has been recalled to the Springboks squad ahead of the Autumn Nations Series, starts alongside fellow Bok Lukhanyo Am in the centres.
The Sharks‘ starting XV is completed with fullback Aphelele Fassi and wingers Eduan Keyter and Makazole Mapimpi.
Plumtree has opted for a conventional 5-3 split on the bench as Fez Mbatha. Ntuthuko Mchunu and Ruan Dreyer provide front row cover and are joined by forwards Jason Jenkins and Buthelezi. Hendrikse, Siya Masuku and Francois Venter are the backline replacements.
The clash between the Sharks and Munster could prove to be a humdinger given the fact that only one point separates the sides on the standings and with both teams having registered only two victories so far this season.
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Sharks team
Sharks: 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Eduan Keyter, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Jordan Hendrikse, 9 Grant Williams, 8 Siya Kolisi, 7 Vincent Tshituka, 6 James Venter, 5 Emile van Heerden, 4 Eben Etzebeth (c), 3 Vincent Koch, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Ox Nche
Replacements: 16 Fez Mbatha, 17 Ntuthuko Mchunu, 18 Ruan Dreyer, 19 Jason Jenkins, 20 Phepsi Buthelezi, 21 Jaden Hendrikse, 22 Siya Masuku, 23 Francois Venter
Date: Saturday, 26 October
Venue: Kings Park, Durban
Kick-off: 15.00 IRE & UK / 16.00 ITA & SA
Referee: Hollie Davidson
Assistant Referees: AJ Jacobs, Stephan Geldenhuys
TMO: Mike Adamson
Live on: SuperSport, TG4, Premier Sports, Flo Rugby & URC.tv
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