Jason Jenkins is set to make his debut for the Sharks, while Jurenzo Julius will return from injury against the Lions in the 2024 Currie Cup decider at Ellis Park on Saturday.
Head coach John Plumtree has otherwise stuck with an unchanged Sharks XV 23 from the lineup that crossed swords with the Vodacom Bulls in Pretoria last week, making just two changes to the starting XV.
Back-row powerhouse Emmanuel Tshituka replaces the injured Phepsi Buthelezi after playing off the bench against the Bulls. Julius partners Springbok world champion Andre Esterhuizen in the midfield, having sat out the semi-final at Loftus Versfeld due to concussion.
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Bok lock Jenkins, who joined the Sharks this season from Irish giants Leinster, has been named among the replacements in a 6-2 split on the bench.
An eight-game unbeaten streak, including a win over the Lions towards the end of July, provides the Durbanites with the perfect buildup for the finale of this year’s edition of rugby’s oldest competition.
Sharks – 15 Jordan Hendrikse, 14 Eduan Keyter, 13 Jurenzo Julius, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Ethan Hooker, 10 Siya Masuku, 9 Bradley Davids, 8 Emmanuel Tshituka, 7 Vincent Tshituka (c), 6 James Venter, 5 Emile van Heerden, 4 Corne Rahl, 3 Hanro Jacobs, 2 Fez Mbatha, 1 Ntuthuko Mchunu.
Subs: 16 Dylan Richardson, 17 Trevor Nyakane, 18 Mawande Mdande, 19 Jason Jenkins, 20 Gerbrandt Grobler, 21 Tino Mavesere, 22 Tian Meyer, 23 Lionel Cronje.
Photo: Steve Haag Sports/Gallo Images
The post Plum tweaks Sharks lineup for final appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Src: sarugbymag.co.za
