Siya Kolisi returns for milestone appearance as Sharks forced into changes after unpunished incidents
Sharks back-rower Siya Kolisi and an inset of Le Roux Malan.
Sharks head coach JP Pietersen has attempted to maintain continuity in his selections, but his hand has been forced ahead of their United Rugby Championship clash against Edinburgh.
The Durbanites must win all their remaining matches, with bonus points, and hope that several other teams stumble for them to qualify for the quarter-finals following their agonising defeat to Ospreys last weekend.
However, they have received a timely boost with Springboks captain Siya Kolisi returning from a calf injury to take a spot on the bench where he is set to earn his 50th appearance for the Sharks.
Sharks’ backline reshuffle after unpunished acts
While Pietersen has hoped to maintain consistency in his selection, both Le Roux Malan and Ethan Hooker sustained injuries against the Ospreys and have been ruled out of this weekend’s clash against Edinburgh.
Malan was forced off the pitch and failed his subsequent HIA after copping a high tackle which was not penalised, while Luke Morgan dived on Hooker when the Sharks star had slid over the try-line, which resulted in a dislocated shoulder for the Springbok.
Those two setbacks compound the Sharks’ injury crisis and has forced Pietersen to name a makeshift backline with regular fly-half Siya Masuku named at inside centre for the meeting with Edinburgh.
With Masuku now starting at inside centre, captain Andre Esterhuizen shifts into the outside centre position while Makazole Mapimpi comes into the starting XV to fill Hooker’s void.
Teenage sensation Zekhethelo Siyaya remains at full-back after his breakthrough debut against the Ospreys, with Edwill van der Merwe completing the back-three. Lastly, Jaden Hendrikse and Jean Smith are the starting half-backs.
Ospreys boss slams ‘disgraceful’ abuse of Welsh wing and claims ‘no malice’ in Ethan Hooker dogshot
No changes in the pack
While the backline has undergone a reshuffle, the forward pack remains intact with the Tshituka brothers, Emmanuel and Vincent, starting in the loose trio with Phepsi Buthelezi, while Emile van Heerden and Jason Jenkins combine in the locks.
Phatu Ganyane, Hanro Jacobs, and Fez Mbatha are the starting front-rowers once again, while Springboks props Ox Nche and Vincent Koch will provide impact off the bench, along with Eduan Swart.
Kolisi’s return means that Pietersen has opted for a 6-2 split on the bench with Corne Rahl and Nick Hatton providing back-five cover while Bradley Davids is now joined by Marnus Potgieter as backline replacements.
Sharks team to face Edinburgh
Sharks: 15 Zekhethelo Siyaya, 14 Edwill van der Merwe, 13 Andre Esterhuizen (c), 12 Siya Masuku, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Jean Smith, 9 Jaden Hendrikse, 8 Emmanuel 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 Siya Kolisi, 22 Bradley Davids, 23 Marnus Potgieter
Players not considered for selection due to injury/rehab: Aphelele Fassi, Bongi Mbonambi, Bryce Calvert, Coetzee le Roux, Eben Etzebeth, Ethan Bester, Ethan Hooker, Francois Venter, Grant Williams, Hakeem Kunene, Jaco Williams, Jordan Hendrikse, Jurenzo Julius, Le Roux Malan, Luan Giliomee, Marvin Orie, Matt Romao, Ruan Dreyer, Simphiwe Matanzima, Tom Dyer, Trevor Nyakane, Yaw Penxe.
Venue: Hive Stadium
Kick-off: 19:45 UK / 20:45 SA/ITA
Referee: Ben Breakspear (WRU, 19th game)
Assistant Referees: Rob McDowell (SRU), Jonny MacKenzie (SRU)
TMO: Keith David (WRU)
How to watch: Premier Sports, SuperSport, BKT URC.tv and FloRugby
