Springboks lock Eben Etzebeth makes a timely return to lead the Sharks in their Round 15 United Rugby Championship (URC) away match against Edinburgh on Friday.
Etzebeth is back after a lengthy period out and is joined by fellow returnees Lukhanyo Am and Aphelele Fassi in the starting XV while Grant Williams is on the bench.
It’s been six months since head coach John Plumtree was able to select his strongest possible side and these options are a plus for the team ahead of the URC run-in.
Boks return
Currently the Sharks sit fourth in the standings and will be determined to consolidate their position in the crucial top four spots, thus sealing a home play-off fixture.
Also in the forward pack are Etzebeth‘s fellow Springboks, Ox Nche, Bongi Mbonambi and Vincent Koch in the front-row, while Siya Kolisi is once again number eight.
“The squad is back to full strength for the first time since the game against Glasgow which is good, that was a long time ago, and hopefully we will keep all the bodies nice and healthy in the build-up to the finals,” explained Plumtree ahead of the match.
“We’ve had good preparation, although we haven’t played for a couple of weeks, and we just want to have a good tour, try and set ourselves up for a home quarter and potentially a home semi if we win our next four games. But for now, our focus is to do well on this tour.”
This side is going to have to pull out all the stops against the high-riding Edinburgh side who secured a home Challenge Cup semi-final clash with Bath, after defeating the Bulls in last week’s quarter-final.
“Edinburgh is going to be a tough game, they’re in good form and their confidence will be really high, so we know it’s going to be a tough match,” Plumtree added.
“Winning VURC games away from home isn’t easy and it certainly hasn’t been easy for us as a team in the past, so it would be great if we have a good performance against Edinburgh.”
Meanwhile, Scotland international back-row Ben Muncaster will return to the Edinburgh starting XV for the clash at Hive Stadium.
The versatile back-row featured from the bench in the Challenge Cup quarter-final win against the Bulls and will start at openside flanker for his side’s return to league action, with Hamish Watson rested.
Muncaster is one of five changes made by head coach Sean Everitt.
Props Pierre Schoeman and D’arcy Rae start in place of Boan Venter and Javan Sebastian (concussion), while Scotland internationals Ali Price and Harry Paterson featuring in the backs, with Ben Vellacott (foot) injured and Darcy Graham rested.
Paterson starts in the back-three alongside the returning Ross McCann and full-back Wes Goosen.
In the midfield, inside centre James Lang partners Matt Currie for the fourth game in a row, while Price links up with fly-half Ross Thompson.
Schoeman and Rae come into the front-row at loosehead and tighthead respectively, alongside Ewan Ashman at hooker, with Sam Skinner and captain Grant Gilchrist once again named at lock.
Openside Muncaster joins a back-row of Jamie Ritchie (blindside) and Magnus Bradbury (number eight), the latter of whom picked up the Player of the Match award last time out.
The teams
Edinburgh: 15 Wes Goosen, 14 Harry Paterson, 13 Matt Currie, 12 James Lang, 11 Ross McCann, 10 Ross Thompson, 9 Ali Price, 8 Magnus Bradbury, 7 Ben Muncaster, 6 Jamie Ritchie, 5 Grant Gilchrist (c), 4 Sam Skinner, 3 D’arcy Rae, 2 Ewan Ashman, 1 Pierre Schoeman
Replacements: 16 Dave Cherry, 17 Boan Venter, 18 Angus Williams, 19 Glen Young, 20 Freddy Douglas, 21 Charlie Shiel, 22 Cammy Scott, 23 Mosese Tuipulotu
Sharks: 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Ethan Hooker, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Jordan Hendrikse, 9 Jaden Hendrikse, 8 Siya Kolisi, 7 Vincent Tshituka, 6 Phepsi Buthelezi, 5 Emile van Heerden, 4 Eben Etzebeth (c), 3 Vincent Koch, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Ox Nche
Replacements: 16 Fez Mbatha, 17 Ntuthuko Mchunu, 18 Hanro Jacobs, 19 Jason Jenkins, 20 James Venter, 21 Grant Williams, 22 Siya Masuku, 23 Jurenzo Julius
Venue: Hive Stadium
Kick-off: 19:35 BST (20:30 SA, 18:35 GMT)
Referee: Andrew Brace (IRFU)
Assistant Referees: Mike Adamson (SRU), Jonny Perriam (SRU)
TMO: Brian McNeice (IRFU)
Src: Planetrugby.com - https://www.planetrugby.com/news/eben-etzebeth-among-twelve-springboks-in-sharks-starting-xv-for-edinburgh-clash
