John Plumtree will take charge of the Sharks XV for the rest of the Currie Cup and has picked a Bok-powered matchday 23 to face the Griffons in Durban on Saturday.
Head coach JP Pietersen has returned to his duties with the Sharks U21s. Plumtree, meanwhile, has brought in a host of his players currently in Vodacom URC preseason training as well as selecting new signings: tighthead prop Ruan Dreyer, blindside flanker Emmanuel Tshituka and fullback Jordan Hendrikse.
Nick Hatton continues as captain, and will be able call on plenty of experience in the starting XV and off the bench this week.
Two-time world champion Makazole Mapimpi is a huge boost at left wing, as are outside centre Ethan Hooker, loose forwards James Venter and Vincent Tshituka, hookers Fez Mbatha and Dylan Richardson.
The Sharks are back at Kings Park for the penultimate round of this year’s edition of rugby’s oldest competition. The Durbanites climbed to third on the standings last week by outplaying DHL Western Province 31-23 in Cape Town.
Sharks – 15 Jordan Hendrikse, 14 Eduan Keyter, 13 Ethan Hooker, 12 Francois Venter, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Lionel Cronje, 9 Bradley Davids, 8 Nick Hatton (c), 7 Emmanuel Tshituka, 6 James Venter, 5 Reniel Hugo, 4 Corne Rahl, 3 Ruan Dreyer, 2 Fez Mbatha, 1 Braam Reynecke.
Subs: 16 Dylan Richardson, 17 Dian Bleuler, 18 Hanro Jacobs, 19 Emile van Heerden, 20 Vincent Tshituka, 21 Tian Meyer, 22 Siya Masuku, 23 Litelihle Bester.
Photo: @Springboks/Twitter
The post Plum takes reins of revamped Sharks appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Src: sarugbymag.co.za
