The Sharks have welcomed back a handful of their Springboks to Kings Park after the World Cup-winners enjoyed a deserved extended break.
The Hollywoodbets Sharks have made wholesale changes to the team to face Dragons RFC, welcoming back the Rugby World Cup-winning Springboks to the fold.
Head coach John Plumtree has welcomed back lock Eben Etzebeth, scrumhalf Jaden Hendrikse, and wing Makazole Mapimpi into the starting line-up alongside Lukhanyo Am who takes on the captaincy duties after making his return last week.
Their national team-mates Ox Nche and Grant Williams will add firepower off the bench. Another change sees Fez Mbatha return to action, taking over from Dylan Richardson at hooker after he had to have surgery on his thumb, putting him out of action for approximately eight weeks.
Sharks attack coach Dave Williams talks about how having the World Cup winners brings excitement to the team.
“Having these players back and the confidence they bring, has been contagious and the rest of the group are all excited for Saturday’s game”, said Williams.
Hollywoodbets Sharks vs Dragons RFC
1. Ntuthuko Mchunu, 2. Fez Mbatha, 3. Coenie Oosthuizen, 4. Eben Etzebeth, 5. Emile van Heerden, 6. James Venter, 7. Phepsi Buthelezi, 8. Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 9. Jaden Hendrikse, 10. Curwin Bosch, 11. Makazole Mapimpi, 12. Francois Venter, 13. Lukhanyo Am (c), 14. Werner Kok, 15. Aphelele Fassi
Replacements
16. Daniel Jooste, 17. Ox Nche, 18. Hanro Jacobs, 19. Corne Rahl, 20. Jeandre Labuschagne, 21. Grant Williams, 22. Boeta Chamberlain, 23. Rohan Janse van Rensburg
A few familiar faces have returned to the Hollywoodbets Sharks 🦈🇿🇦 pic.twitter.com/xqdyQGKxTz
— SuperSport Rugby (@SSRugby) November 21, 2023
