Ox and Fassi start for Sharks against Lions

Vodacom United Rugby Championship rugby resumes after the brief Christmas break with the Hollywoodbets Sharks hosting the Lions at Hollywoodbets Kings Park on Saturday afternoon.

Head coach JP Pietersen has the good fortune of welcoming back some of his stalwarts with Springboks OX Nche and Aphelele Fassi over their respective ailments and both getting starts.

Corne Rahl and Siya Masuku also make welcome returns to the matchday 23, both named on a bench filled with exciting youngsters as well as experienced, calm heads in the form of Springboks Phepsi Buthelezi and Jaden Hendrikse.

In all, Pietersen has made just the three changes to the starting XV, with Nche starting for Phatu Ganyane at loosehead, Manu Tshituka in place of Phepsi Buthelezi at eighthman, joining Ganyane on the bench, and Fassi at 15 for Hakeem Kunene the final switch.

Reflecting on the successes of the recent past and his team’s turnaround, Vincent Tshituka explains that: “It’s been a really exciting time at the Hollywoodbets Sharks, we’ve had two good wins after a rough start to the season and that’s helped us build the little bit of momentum and confidence we needed.

“JP has really challenged us on going from good to great and it’s really lifted our standards in everything we do.

“The players are also taking personal responsibility as well and driving those standards. There has been a lot of buy-in over the past couple of weeks.”

Despite the pause over Christmas, the team has remained in competition mode and he underlines the positive frame of mind everyone is in.

“There’s quite a buzz around training and lots of excitement playing an SA derby, it’s always a big one against the Lions, a spectacle and we expect nothing less than that. The guys are really looking forward to the challenge.

“We’re all excited and believe we can turn this season around.”

Hollywoodbets Sharks starting XV: 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Edwill van der Merwe, 13 Ethan Hooker, 12 Andre Esterhuizen (capt), 11 Makazole Mapimpi; 10 Jordan Hendrikse, 9 Grant Williams; 8 Manu Tshituka, 7 Vincent Tshituka, 6 Siya Kolisi; 5 Emile van Heerden, 4 Jason Jenkins; 3 Hanro Jacobs, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Ox Nche. Replacements: 16 Eduan Swart, 17 Phatu Ganyane, 18 Mawande Mdanda, 19 Corne Rahl, 20 Phepsi Buthelezi, 21 Nick Hatton, 22 Jaden Hendrikse, 23 Siya Masuku.

SATURDAY

Hollywoodbets Sharks v Lions

Hollywoodbets Kings Park, Durban – KO 1.30pm IRE & UK/2.30pm ITA/3.30pm SA

Referee: Chris Allison (SARU, 6th league game)

AR 1: Aimee Barrett-Theron (SARU) AR 2: Hanru van Rooyen (SARU)

TMO: Egon Seconds (SARU)

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