Sharks backline remains intact for Benetton clash

The Sharks will once again take continuity into their United Rugby Championship clash with Benetton at Stadio Monigo on Saturday afternoon.

Head coach John Plumtree has made minimal changes, all three rotational, with Trevor Nyakane at loosehead prop and Fez Mbatha starting at hooker in place of Ntuthuko Mchunu and Dylan Richardson respectively, while Phepsi Buthelezi and Emmanuel Tshituka swap jerseys this week.

The backline remains intact.

Sharks attack coach Dave Williams is excited not only for this match, but also for the way the team is building confidence into their attack.

“It all starts with how we exit from the back of the field and that’s giving us some good field position and then we have great individual moments from players and we’re executing from there,” he explains.

Rugby is all about chemistry and combinations and continuity over the last five weeks certainly helps the team build momentum as the players spend more time together on the field.

“Those connections are massive, and the benefit of that away semi-final and away final was getting time together and now the third game on the road in the URC, so we’ve spent a lot of time together building those connections, both on and off the field.”

Although there have been some tense finishes in recent times, coming out on top in those games shows the fight and character in the team, which Williams acknowledges is an important component in their successful run.

“Those late comebacks are something we pride ourselves on, showing strength in staying in the fight, we have pressure moments that we’re able to deliver in those final moments.

“We’d like to pull away but we know the calibre of our opposition this week with their test match experience.

“It’s going to be a great challenge for us, one we’re looking forward to. It’s going to be a great contest amongst the forwards and the two backlines, but it’s all about turning pressure moments into points.”

Saturday’s match in the northern Italian town of Treviso kicks off at 4pm.

Hollywoodbets Sharks
1.    Trevor Nyakane
2.    Fez Mbatha
3.    Ruan Dreyer
4.    Jason Jenkins
5.    Gerbrandt Grobler
6.    James Venter
7.    Vincent Tshituka (Captain)
8.    Phepsi Buthelezi
9.    Jaden Hendrikse
10.    Siya Masuku
11.    Ethan Hooker
12.    Andre Esterhuizen
13.    Jurenzo Julius
14.    Eduan Keyter
15.    Jordan Hendrikse

Replacements   
16.    Dylan Richardson
17.    Ntuthuko Mchunu
18.    Hanro Jacobs
19.    Corne’ Rahl
20.    Emmanuel Tshituka
21.    Bradley Davids
22.    Lionel Cronje
23.    Francois Venter

The following players are not available for selection due to injury:

- Braam Reyneke
- Diego Apollis
- Emile van Heerden
- IG Prinsloo
- Khwezi Mona
- Marnus Potgieter
- Siya Ningiza
- Thomas Dyer
- Yaw Penxe