Sharks head coach John Plumtree has welcomed several Springboks back as the Durbanites host the Lions in the United Rugby Championship (URC).
Siya Kolisi has completed his mandatory rest period and takes a place on the bench where he is joined by fellow returnee Vincent Koch.
However, Bok lock Eben Etzebeth’s return will wait at least another week as the Sharks continue to tread cautiously after the concussion he sustained against Exeter Chiefs last December.
Sharks welcome back Boks
For the first of two consecutive matches against the Lions, Plumtree has stuck with largely the same starting XV that defeated the Bulls last time out in the URC.
The only change to the backline sees Jaden Hendrikse start at scrum-half in place of Grant Williams who drops to the bench. Siya Masuku starts at fly-half with Lukhanyo Am and Jurenzo Julius retained in the midfield.
Ethan Hooker and Yaw Penxe are the starting wingers with Jordan Hendrikse at full-back.
Into the pack and the loose trio remains unchanged with Man of the Match against the Bulls, Tinotenda Mavesere, joined by captain Vincent Tshituka and number eight Phepsi Buthelezi.
Deon Slabbert replaces Corne Rahl as Jason Jenkins’ second-row partner while Ruan Dreyer fills Trevor Nyakane’s void at tighthead after the Springbok prop sustained a season-ending injury. Boks loosehead Ntuthuko Mchunu and hooker Bongi Mbonambi complete the starting XV.
On the bench, Dian Bleuler has returned from his loan at Munster and provides front-row cover with Koch and Ethan Bester while Lappies Labuschagne and Kolisi round out the forward replacements.
Williams, Francois Venter and Eduan Keyter are the three backline reserves at Plumtree’s disposal.
Meanwhile, the Sharks have confirmed the arrival of Stormers hooker and one-cap Springbok Scarra Ntubeni who has joined the side on loan. Ntubeni will provide cover for the Durbanites who are without hookers Bryce Calvert, Fez Mbatha and Dylan Richardson.
Springboks home fixtures confirmed as Rassie Erasmus’ men return to Gqeberha
Sharks team v Lions
Sharks: 15 Jordan Hendrikse, 14 Yaw Penxe, 13 Jurenzo Julius, 12 Lukhanyo Am, 11 Ethan Hooker, 10 Siya Masuku, 9 Grant Williams, 8 Phepsi Buthelezi, 7 Vincent Tshituka (c), 6 Tinotenda Mavesere, 5 Jason Jenkins, 4 Deon Slabbert, 3 Ruan Dreyer, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Ntuthuko Mchunu
Replacements: 16 Ethan Bester, 17 Dian Bleuler, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 Lappies Labuschagne, 20 Siya Kolisi, 21 Grant Williams, 22 Francois Venter, 23 Eduan Keyter
Venue: Emirates Airline Park, Johannesburg
Kick-off: 14:30 local (12:30 GMT)
Referee: Christopher Allison
Assistant Referees: Hanru van Rooyen, Dylen November
Live on: SuperSport, Premier Sports, Flo Rugby & URC.tv
READ MORE: Springboks fans are all saying the same thing after Felix Jones’ return to Rassie Erasmus’ team
Src: Planetrugby.com - https://www.planetrugby.com/news/siya-kolisi-bolsters-sharks-bench-but-still-no-eben-etzebeth-as-springboks-forward-joins-on-loan
