The Sharks have picked a new front row for their return URC match against the Stormers in Durban, with Ox Nche, Fez Mbatha, and Hanro Jacobs all starting, as does lock Corne Rahl, ahead of Jason Jenkins, who has been listed amongst the replacements.
Phepsi Buthelezi remains the only loose forward who started last week in Cape Town. He is joined by Siya Kolisi and Vincent Tshituka, who both played off the bench last week. The backline sees Grant Williams starting ahead of Jaden Hendrikse, the pair swapping jerseys for this match, and Edwill van der Merwe replacing Yaw Penxe on the wing in the final change to the starting XV.
Captain Andre Esterhuizen acknowledges that despite last week’s bonus-point victory over the Stormers, they are not getting ahead of themselves as they focus on this second match against their coastal rivals.
“We have a lot to improve on, we are working hard, but to know there is so much improvement ahead of us after the win last weekend is a good sign that we are on the right path,” he admits. “Last week was a tough and brutal game, but that’s a South African derby, and you have to get up for each one. We’re all in the right mindset, knowing that we can’t just give a once-off performance like that, we must back it up this weekend again.”
As this is the last game before a break, he explains that his team will be leaving nothing out there in their quest to achieve back-to-back victories over the Stormers.
“Everyone wants to go into that break in a good way; there is massive motivation for this weekend.”
Sharks team for Stormers
15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Edwill van der Merwe, 13 Ethan Hooker, 12 Andre Esterhuizen (c), 11 Jaco Williams, 10 Jordan Hendrikse, 9 Grant Williams, 8 Phepsi Buthelezi, 7 Vincent Tshituka, 6 Siya Kolisi, 5 Emile van Heerden, 4 Corne Rahl, 3 Hanro Jacobs, 2 Fez Mbatha, 1 Ox Nche.
Bench: 16 Eduan Swart, 17 Phatu Ganyane, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 Jason Jenkins, 20 Nick Hatton, 21 Jaden Hendrikse, 22 Siya Masuku, 23 Jurenzo Julius.
