Sharks welcome Kolisi back for Lions clash

The Hollywoodbets Sharks go into this weekend’s first of two consecutive Vodacom United Rugby Championship clashes with the Emirates Lions in high spirits as they look to continue their fine away form of recent past.

Bonus point wins over Cardiff (in Wales) and the Vodacom Bulls (in Pretoria) in their last two fixtures, despite the injury woes they have suffered, demonstrate the fighting spirit in a team that is well-placed on the overall log.

The fact that they have found ways to win, emphatically so, shows that they are on the right path and that the players themselves not only buy in to the plan, but are capable of executing on match day.

“What’s really rewarding for us is that the boys are believing in themselves and believing in our game model,” explains head coach John Plumtree.

The Sharks coach would have also been all smiles at having a relatively unscathed squad from the last match and the satisfaction of welcoming back some of his stalwarts.

The Emirates Lions go into this game off the back of a 31-19 loss to the Bulls in the only fixture played last week but a 30-23 home victory over the DHL Stormers the previous weekend will have built confidence for the team, despite it being their only victory in the South African Shield, where they lie in fourth place and 12th overall on the United Rugby Championship log, eight places below the fourth-placed Sharks.

Plumtree has welcomed back Springbok scrumhalf Jaden Hendrikse who replaces Grant Williams at scrumhalf, with the latter playing off the bench.

In the other two changes to the starting XV, the injured Trevor Nyakane is replaced by Ruan Dreyer while Deon Slabbert comes in for Corne Rahl at lock, with Vincent Tshituka continuing his role as captain.

There is further good news aside from continuity in team selection and that is some interesting names on the bench.

Welcomed back in action are Vincent Koch, Siya Kolisi and Eduan Keyter who all bring plenty of experience, adding to the team’s depth and likely to make a significant impact off the bench later in the game.

Emirates Lions starting XV: 15 Tapiwa Mafura (Hoërskool Ermelo), 14 Richard Kriel (Grey College), 13 Manuel Rass (Paarl Boys’ High), 12 Marius Louw (Grey College), 11 Edwill van der Merwe (Paul Roos Gymnasium); 10 Gianni Lombard (Paarl Boys' High), 9 Morne van den Berg (Hoёrskool Linden); 8 Francke Horn (capt) (Paarl Boys' High), 7 Ruan Venter (Paarl Boys' High), 6 JC Pretorius (HTS Middelburg); 5 Darrien Landsberg (Northcliff High School), 4 Ruben Schoeman (Grey College); 3 Asenathi Ntlabakanye (St Stithians College), 2 PJ Botha (Hoёrskool Monument), 1 Juan Schoeman (Afrikaanse Hoër Seunskool). Replacements: 16 Jaco Visagie (Augsburg Agricultural Gymnasium), 17 SJ Kotze (Paarl Boys’ High), 18 RF Schoeman (Hoërskool Frikkie Meyer), 19 Ruan Delport (Hoërskool Garsfontein), 20 Siba Qoma (Westville Boys), 21 Nico Steyn (Glenwood High School), 22 Jarod Cairns (Paul Roos Gymnasium), 23 Rynardt Jonker (Glenwood High School).

Hollywoodbets Sharks starting XV: 15 Jordan Hendrikse (Glenwood Boys High School), 14 Yaw Penxe (Queens College Boys High School), 13 Jurenzo Julius (Paul Roos Gimnasium), 12 Lukhanyo Am (De Vos Malan High School), 11 Ethan Hooker (Westville Boys High); 10 Siya Masuku (Piet Retief High School), 9 Jaden Hendrikse (Glenwood Boys High School); 8 Phepsi Buthelezi (Durban High School), 7 Vincent Tshituka (capt) (Northcliff High School), 6 Tinotenda Mavesere (Churchill Boys); 5 Jason Jenkins (St Albans College), 4 Deon Slabbert (Westville Boys High School); 3 Ruan Dreyer (Monument High School), 2 Bongi Mbonambi (St Albans College), 1 Ntuthuko Mchunu (Martitzburg College). Replacements: 16 Ethan Bester (Hilton College), 17 Dian Bleuler (Oakdale Landbou), 18 Vincent Koch (Huguenot High School), 19 Lappies Labuschagne (Maritzburg College), 20 Siya Kolisi (Grey High School), 21 Grant Williams (Paarl Gimnasium), 22 Francois Venter (Grey College), 23 Eduan Keyter (Afrikaanse Hoer Seunskool).

The following players are not available for selection: Andre Esterhuizen, Aphelele Fassi, Bryce Calvert, Diego Appollis, Dylan Richardson, Eben Etzebeth, Emile van Heerden, Fez Mbatha, Gerbrandt Grobler, Hakeem Kunene (suspension), James Venter, Khwezi Mona, Makazole Mapimpi (suspension), Manu Tshituka, Marnus Potgieter, Nick Hatton,Ox Nche.