Depleted Sharks will be no pushovers at Loftus
Vincent Tshituka will captain a Sharks team bereft of leading Springboks at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday but the Durban team is formidable nevertheless.
The unavailability of key Boks and the Sharks’ hefty injury list are well documented but they can still put out a Springbok front row against the Bulls.
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They will start with Trevor Nyakane, Bongi Mbonambi and Ntuthuko Mchunu while former Bok Ruan Dreyer is on the bench.
Mbonambi is a current Bok that is not being rested because he has missed a lot of rugby through injury.
Likewise scrumhalf Grant Williams and centre Lukhanyo Am are starting.
Interestingly, Am moves to 12 from his customary 13 to allow the exciting Jurenzo “The Boogieman” Julius to start in that position.
The experienced Am has played inside centre before and is comfortable there while Julius has been excellent on attack out wide.
If the Sharks’ pack can generate good ball, the backline could be lethal.
Besides the dangerous centres, there are threats in Ethan Hooker (left wing), Yaw Penxe (right wing) and fullback Jordan Hendrikse.
Sharks team
15 Jordan Hendrikse 14 Yaw Penxe 13 Jurenzo Julius 12 Lukhanyo Am 11 Ethan Hooker 10 Siya Masuku 9 Grant Williams 8 Phespi Buthelezi 7 Vincent Tshituka (captain) 6 Tino Mavesere 5 Jason Jenkins 4 Corne Rahl 3 Trevor Nyakane 2 Bongi Mbonambi 1 Ntuthuko Mchunu.
Bench: 16 Ethan Bester 17 Ruan Dreyer 18 Hanro Jacobs 19 Lappies Labuschagne 20 Jannes Potgieter 21 Bradley Davids 22 Francois Venter 23 Jaco Williams.