Esterhuizen back to lead Sharks against Leinster

Andre Esterhuizen returns from international duty to lead a strong Hollywoodbets Sharks side into their second-round Vodacom United Rugby Championship clash with reigning champions Leinster at Hollywoodbets Kings Park on Saturday.

The Sharks have named an exciting combination for the highly anticipated encounter, with the Sharks Springboks included in the team for this highly anticipated fixture. Thomas du Toit and Edwill van der Merwe return to the starting XV, while Ox Nche, Eben Etzebeth and Ethan Hooker providing further impact from the bench.

The inclusion of the returning internationals adds valuable experience and depth to a squad that has already shown its intent following an impressive opening-round victory over the Ospreys.

With Leinster arriving in Durban as the reigning champions, the fixture presents an important opportunity for the Sharks to test themselves against one of the competition’s leading sides.

The returning Boks were eager to be involved in the occasion, despite only arriving back in the country on Tuesday, reflecting the significance of the fixture and their commitment to the team.

For club captain Phepsi Buthelezi, the challenge is about building on the foundations laid in Round One and demonstrating the progress the squad has made throughout pre-season.

“That was a really positive start for us and rewarding for the group. We’ve worked hard during our pre-season and to be able to get off the mark the way we did was really positive,” he explains.

“We’ve had a good look at our performance and believe we could have done better in certain moments of the game but I think overall it was a good start to our campaign.

“This week is a very important one for us. It’s important to show how far we’ve come as a group and what the talk has been about. We’ve had a really tough pre-season, we’ve had hard and honest conversations as a group, we know exactly where we want to go and this week presents us with an opportunity to measure ourselves against the defending champions.”

The Sharks produced an entertaining attacking display against the Ospreys and Buthelezi believes the challenge now is to continue developing that aspect of their game.

“Attack is a part of our game that we’ve worked hard on and, with Scott Mathie returning to Durban, the group has really responded well to him. It’s something we will keep working on.

“We scored some amazing tries and that’s a real positive.”

Saturday’s encounter promises to be another significant test for a Sharks side looking to build momentum early in their campaign, with the experience of the returning internationals complementing a squad that has already begun to establish its identity under head coach JP Pietersen.

Pietersen said: “The champions are coming to Durban and we wouldn't want it any other way. Leinster are one of the best sides in the world, and we have a lot of respect for the threat they bring. But this is our territory and we are ready for the challenge. This week is about measuring ourselves against the best and seeing how far we’ve come as a group.”

Leinster Rugby assistant coach Tyler Bleyendaal said: “We’re looking to evolve [the attack]. We have to work hard at it, and we have to make sure the time we put into it is quality time. So we’re trying to evolve. We’re trying to get better. The game’s evolving. The attack has to evolve now. Defence is almost more structured than attack at times, so you have to work out how to break that down. We’re enjoying that process at the moment. It’s definitely not the end product but we’ve made good strides in the preseason and we’ll continue to do so.”

Hollywoodbets Sharks starting XV: 15 Luan Giliomee, 14 Edwill van der Merwe, 13 Jurenzo Julius, 12 Andre Esterhuizen (capt), 11 Lili Bester; 10 Vusi Moyo, 9 Jaden Hendrikse; 8 Nick Hatton, 7 Manu Tshituka, 6 Phepsi Buthelezi; 5 Darrien Landsberg, 4 Jason Jenkins; 3 Vincent Koch, 2 Esethu Mnebelele, 1 Thomas du Toit. Replacements: 16 Ethan Bester, 17 Ox Nche, 18 Hanro Jacobs, 19 Eben Etzebeth, 20 Matt Romao, 21 Ivan van Zyl, 22 Zekhethelo Siyaya, 23 Ethan Hooker.

SATURDAY

Hollywoodbets Sharks v Leinster Rugby

Hollywoodbets Kings Park, Durban – KO 5.30pm IRE & UK/6.30pm ITA & SA

Referee: Craig Evans (WRU, 72nd league game)

AR 1: Hanru van Rooyen (SARU) AR 2: Jonathan Lottering (SARU)

TMO: Ben Breakspear (WRU)

Live on: SuperSport, Premier Sports, Flo Rugby & URC.tv