Etzebeth out of Sharks' semi-final battle with Bulls

A new lock pairing for Saturday’s Vodacom United Rugby Championship semi-final derby clash against the Vodacom Bulls in Pretoria is the only set of changes to the Hollywoodbets Sharks as they take continuity into selection for this massive local knock-out.

Head coach John Plumtree has to do without captain Eben Etzebeth who unfortunately got injured at training this week, with Corne’ Rahl replacing him and Emile van Heerden coming in for Jason Jenkins, who went down in last week’s victory over Munster and hasn’t recovered sufficiently. Deon Slabbert comes on to the bench, as does Jurenzo Julius for Francois Venter.

For captain Siya Kolisi, playing winning rugby has been a hallmark of this Sharks team, and although he acknowledges that the team hasn’t quite played to potential, coming out victorious shows the growth in the team and at this stage of the tournaments, any win will do.

“We want to play better, there are many things we want to do better on the field but there were a lot of good things we did against Munster,” he said this week.

“We’ve also played better this season with a full team and everyone available but with injuries, the dynamics change.”

This is a Sharks team well led, with plenty of experience and a side that knows what it takes to win and has the grit to do it.

“The most important thing is finding a way to win when things aren’t going well. I’ve been in a team where we played amazing rugby and we still lost. You can have that, or you can have what we’re going through.

“But the ultimate goal is to play the kind of rugby we know we’re capable of playing.”

Saturday’s semi-final against the Vodacom Bulls at Loftus kicks off at 6.15pm, with Leinster hosting Glasgow in the earlier semi-final at 3.45pm.

Hollywoodbets Sharks starting XV: 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Ethan Hooker, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Makazole Mapimpi; 10 Jordan Hendrikse, 9 Jaden Hendrikse; 8 Siya Kolisi (capt), 7 Vincent Tshituka, 6 James Venter; 5 Emile van Heerden, 4 Corne’ Rahl; 3 Vincent Koch, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Ox Nche. Replacements: 16 Fez Mbatha, 17 Ntuthuko Mchunu, 18 Hanro Jacobs, 19 Deon Slabbert, 20 Phepsi Buthelezi, 21 Bradley Davids, 22 Jurenzo Julius, 23 Yaw Penxe.

SATURDAY

Vodacom Bulls v Hollywoodbets Sharks

Loftus Versfeld Stadium, Pretoria – KO 5.15pm IRE & UK/6.15pm ITA & SA

Referee: Andrew Brace (IRFU, 107th league game)

AR 1: Sam Grove-White (SRU) AR 2: Adam Jones (WRU)

TMO: Mike Adamson (SRU)

Live on: SuperSport, TG4, Premier Sports, Flo Rugby & URC.tv