Hendrikse starts at 10, not nine, for Sharks

The Hollywoodbets Sharks take on the Glasgow Warriors in Scotland on Friday evening (9.05pm kick-off), looking to get their Vodacom United Rugby Championship tournament off to a successful start.

Beginning the campaign on the road certainly makes for interesting times, with Sharks head coach John Plumtree admitting that the three-match tour presents numerous challenges for his side, something he has had to negotiate every year at the start of the campaign.

“I’m happy with the way we’ve prepared with some real challenges, we’re good to go,” he admitted on the eve of the match.

“The front row hasn’t played together, the same with the locks, the nine-ten combination too, so there are some challenges but we have prepared well. We’ve put the players under pressure as much as we can based on what they’re going to be exposed to in Scotland.

“We’ve relied on other unions to help us out and hopefully we’ve done enough."

The leadership of Vincent Tshituka as captain is a plus for the side that has a mix of old faces and new signings in the absence of Springboks and injured players.

“Vinny is the sort of guy who leads by example, he’s such a consistent rugby player: he’ll talk about it and then do it, those are the best leaders to play for. It’s a ‘follow-me’ mindset, certainly he does that.

“He also has some good support around him, with Phepsi Buthelezi there, his brother Manu, Marvin Orie, Ruan Dreyer upfront and then Swys Venter and Lukhanyo Am in the back, all of whom have been around for a long time. So he has a good blend of leadership there.”

Marvin Orie is a new signing who brings a wealth of experience to the team, a Springbok boasting 16 international caps and a 13-year professional career spanning over 200 appearances for the Vodacom Bulls, The Lions, DHL Stormers, Ospreys and Perpignan.

“He’s our line-out caller, although Deon Slabbert can also call, so they will help each other. His experience in pressure moments should help us a lot.

“I really want him to bring his own game, he’s got to prove himself to us. We know what he can do and has done but ultimately he’s now playing for a new team and we’ll see what his work-rate is like and hopefully he’ll have a good game, not only from a leadership point of view.”

Loosehead prop Simphiwe Matanzima, scrumhalf Ross Braude and wings Christie Grobbelaar and Edwill van der Merwe are all set to make their Vodacom United Rugby Championship debuts for the Sharks, while Jaden Hendrikse has been named at flyhalf, not

in the customary scrumhalf jersey, taking on the play-maker role in the absence of the injured duo of his brother Jordan and Siya Masuku.

Glasgow Warriors head coach Franco Smith said: “Playing at Scotstoun is always a privilege and we are looking forward to starting a new campaign at home in front of our home supporters.

“We know that home support will be vital and we know that the Warrior Nation will be make themselves heard tomorrow night.

“Even without their South African internationals, the Sharks are proof that there are no underpowered teams in the BKT URC - their squad is built to perform and their depth was a key factor in them finishing in the top four last season.”

Glasgow Warriors starting XV: 15 Josh McKay, 14 Kyle Rowe, 13 Stafford McDowall (capt), 12 Kerr Yule, 11 Ollie Smith; 10 Dan Lancaster, 9 George Horne; 8 Jack Dempsey, 7 Rory Darge, 6 Matt Fagerson; 5 Alex Samuel, 4 Jare Oguntibeju; 3 Fin Richardson, 2 Johnny Matthews, 1 Jamie Bhatti. Replacements: 16 Gregor Hiddleston, 17 Rory Sutherland, 18 Sam Talakai, 19 Scott Cummings, 20 Gregor Brown, 21 Euan Ferrie, 22 Jamie Dobie, 23 Adam Hastings.

Hollywoodbets Sharks starting XV: 15 Yaw Penxe, 14 Edwill van der Merwe, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 Francois Venter, 11 Christie Grobbelaar; 10 Jaden Hendrikse, 9 Ross Braude; 8 Vincent Tshituka (capt), 7 Emmanuel Tshituka, 6 Phepsi Buthelezi; 5 Marvin Orie, 4 Deon Slabbert; 3 Ruan Dreyer, 2 Fez Mbatha, 1 Simphiwe Matanzima. Replacements: 16 Eduan Swart, 17 Dian Bleuler, 18 Lee-Marvin Mazibuko, 19 Bathobele Hlekani, 20 Nick Hatton, 21 Jean Smith, 22 Jurenzo Julius, 23 Hakeem Kunene.

FRIDAY

Glasgow Warriors v Hollywoodbets Sharks

Scotstoun Stadium, Glasgow – KO 8.05pm IRE & UK/9.05pm ITA & SA

Referee: Craig Evans (WRU, 68th league game)

AR 1: Ru Campbell (SRU) AR 2: Rob McDowell (SRU)

TMO: Keith David (WRU)

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