The Hollywoodbets Sharks welcome back a few players to balance those lost to injury as they turn their focus to the Vodacom United Rugby Championship and their week 10 clash with Cardiff Rugby at Cardiff Arms Park on Saturday.
Two of South Africa’s most exciting talents get the opportunity to showcase their potential as a match-winning midfield partnership with head coach John Plumtree having paired Ethan Hooker and Jurenzo Julius as the starting inside and outside centres for this match.
Vincent Tshituka is back in action and captains the team. A shortage of locks due to injury sees Tshituka starting in the second row instead of his customary loose-forward role. With the front row remaining intact, there is only one other change to the pack where Nick Hatton comes in for Siya Kolisi (who is on a mandatory Springbok rest period) at eighthman.
There are also welcome returns for wing Makazole Mapimpi and Jordan Hendrikse, the latter to start at fullback.
Having turned the focus back to the VURC, hooker Bongi Mbonambi is positive about the preparations for Saturday’s game and his team’s prospects for this match.
“The weather has been a tad better in Cardiff than we experienced in Bordeaux, a few degrees warmer, although we’re missing the sunny weather back at home in Durban,” he explains.
“We’ve put the disappointment of the Bordeaux game behind us and we’re now focussing on the URC, knowing that this week we have a tough task ahead of us, especially coming off a defeat to Bordeaux. We know we have a lot of work so that we can come back home with a win on tour.
“This is a big game against a quality side, we expect a tough clash against a side doing really well in the competition, but we look forward to making our fans proud on Saturday night.”
Hollywoodbets Sharks
1. Ntuthuko Mchunu
2. Bongi Mbonambi
3. Trevor Nyakane
4. Vincent Tshituka (c)
5. Jason Jenkins
6. Phepsi Buthelezi
7. Emmanuel Tshituka
8. Nick Hatton
9. Grant Williams
10. Siya Masuku
11. Makazole Mapimpi
12. Ethan Hooker
13. Jurenzo Julius
14. Yaw Penxe
15. Jordan Hendrikse
Replacements
16. Ethan Bester
17. Ruan Dreyer
18. Vincent Koch
19. Deon Slabbert*
20. Lappies Labuschagne
21. Jaden Hendrikse**
22. Francois Venter
23. Lukhanyo Am
