Veteran prop Trevor Nyakane will play his first game for the Sharks as one of five Springboks in the matchday 23 to face Griquas in Kimberley on Friday.
Nyakane, who signed with the Durbanites from French giants Racing 92 this season, replaces Khwezi Mona at tighthead while fellow Bok Ntuthuko Mchunu takes over from Abraham Reynecke at No 1 for the Currie Cup clash at Griqua Park.
Phepsi Buthelezi coming in for Jannes Potgieter at blindside flanker is the final change among the forwards.
In the backline, two-time World Cup-winning winger Makazole Mapimpi swaps out with Jaco Williams while Andre Esterhuizen, back with the Sharks after a successful stint in the English Premiership, partners Muller du Plessis in the midfield.
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Aphelele Fassi completes the lineup of Bok reinforcements, replacing Hakeem Kunene at fullback.
“We took a lot of positives out of last week’s game against the Lions, but we were disappointed as we felt we could have won that game,” Sharks head coach JP Pietersen said.
“But that’s all part of the learning, lots of youngsters put their hands up which is a massive positive for the union and shows we’re moving in the right direction with this young talent.”
With Griquas having lost to the Pumas at home last week, Pietersen expects a backlash from their hosts.
“They’ll definitely want to bounce back, they’ve had a good year and they’re a confident team, and as a group, we know this is going to be a physical battle in Kimberley, but it’s an exciting challenge for us and we’re also confident going into this match,” he added.
“We hope it’s a good game of rugby that the fans can enjoy.”
Sharks – 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Yaw Penxe, 13 Muller du Plessis, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Lionel Cronje, 9 Bradley Davids, 8 Nick Hatton (c), 7 Phepsi Buthelezi, 6 Tino Mavesere, 5 Reniel Hugo, 4 Coetzee Le Roux, 3 Trevor Nyakane, 2 Daniel Jooste, 1 Ntuthuko Mchunu.
Subs: 16 Kerron van Vuuren, 17 Abraham Reynecke, 18 Khwezi Mona, 19 Reinier Viljoen, 20 Jannes Potgieter, 21 Tiaan Fourie, 22 Murray Koster, 23 Eduan Keyter/Jaco Williams.
Photo: Steve Haag Sports/Gallo Images
The post Sharks get Bok boost for Griquas clash appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Src: sarugbymag.co.za
