Sharks welcome Nche back as they hunt SA Shield

Loosehead prop Ox Nche makes a welcome return to the Hollywoodbets Sharks side named to host the Emirates Lions at Hollywoodbets Kings Park in Saturday’s return leg Vodacom United Rugby Championship derby match (2pm kick-off).

He is joined in the front row by fellow Springboks Vincent Koch and Bongi Mbonambi as head coach John Plumtree has welcomed back several players to bolster his team for this SA Shield defining game.

Emile van Heerden is also back after injury, Springbok captain Siya Kolisi is also named to start after playing off the bench last week, also wearing the captain’s armband.

Lappies Labuschagne in for the injured Vincent Tshituka is the final change to the forward pack.

Henry Immelman (on loan to the Sharks) makes his debut at fullback, having represented Montpellier, Edinburgh Rugby and more recently, the Vodacom Bulls.

Grant Williams and Jordan Hendrikse will partner at halfback, with Francois Venter replacing an injured Lukhanyo Am in the final change to the starting XV.

There’s also good news on the fitness of hooker Fez Mbatha and loose forward James Venter, both of whom have been named on the bench after lengthy recovery periods.

Wing Yaw Penxe admits that this match offers his team the opportunity at a second bite of the cherry, playing the same team, they lost to last week and a shot at redeeming themselves.

“As players we had a proper look at ourselves and our game, both as individuals and as a unit, and we know where we went wrong and we’ve been working on that this week,” he explains.

“It helps to be playing the same team a week later, we’re essentially getting a second chance which doesn’t happen often and hopefully we right our wrongs this weekend.”

Identifying areas that let the team down, he explains that sharpening their skillsets and upping the physicality are the primary tasks they want to accomplish this weekend, knowing how important victory will be to their campaign aims.

“We take every game seriously and we know a win will put us in a good position on the log; every win or log point from now on is crucial and it goes without saying that we need to strive for wins in every game we play.”

If the Sharks achieve the win at home, they will clinch the SA Shield. All roads lead to Hollywoodbets Kings Park for what promises to be a cracker of a match between two proud South African sides.

Hollywoodbets Sharks starting XV: 15 Henry Immelman, 14 Yaw Penxe, 13 Jurenzo Julius, 12 Francois Venter, 11 Ethan Hooker; 10 Jordan Hendrikse, 9 Grant Williams; 8 Siya Kolisi (capt), 7 Lappies Labuschagne, 6 Phepsi Buthelezi; 5 Emile van Heerden, 4 Jason Jenkins; 3 Vincent Koch, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Ox Nche. Replacements: 16 Fez Mbatha, 17 Ntuthuko Mchunu, 18 Hanro Jacobs, 19 Corne Rahl, 20 James Venter, 21 Nick Hatton, 22 Jaden Hendrikse, 23 Hakeem Kunene.

Emirates Lions starting XV: 15 Tapiwa Mafura, 14 Richard Kriel, 13 Manuel Rass, 12 Marius Louw, 11 Edwill van der Merwe; 10 Gianni Lombard, 9 Morne van der Berg; 8 Francke Horn (capt), 7 Sibabalo Qoma, 6 Jarod Cairns; 5 Darrien Landsberg, 4 Ruben Schoeman; 3 Asenathi Ntlabakanye, 2 PJ Botha, 1 Juan Schoeman. Replacements: 16 Franco Marais, 17 Morgan Naude, 18 Conraad van Vuuren, 19 Ruan Delport, 20 Izan Esterhuizen, 21 Nico Steyn, 22 WJ Steenkamp, 23 Rynhardt Jonker.