Sharks name team to face Lions

Loosehead prop Ox Nche makes a welcome return to the Sharks side named
to host the Lions at Kings Park in Saturday’s return leg
United Rugby Championship derby match.
He is joined in the front row by fellow Springboks Vincent Koch and Bongi Mbonambi as head
coach John Plumtree has welcomed back several players to bolster his team for this SA Shield
defining game.
Emile van Heerden is also back after injury, Springbok captain Siya Kolisi is also named to
start after playing off the bench last week, also wearing the captain’s armband.
Lappies Labuschagne in for the injured Vincent Tshituka is the final change to the forward
pack.
Henry Immelman (on loan to the Sharks) makes his debut at fullback, having
represented Montpellier, Edinburgh Rugby and more recently, the Bulls.
Grant Williams and Jordan Hendrikse will partner at halfback, with Francois Venter replacing
an injured Lukhanyo Am in the final change to the starting XV.
There’s also good news on the fitness of hooker Fez Mbatha and loose forward James Venter,
both of whom have been named on the bench after lengthy recovery periods.
Wing Yaw Penxe admits that this match offers his team the opportunity at a second bite of the
cherry, playing the same team, they lost to last week and a shot at redeeming themselves.
“As players we had a proper look at ourselves and our game, both as individuals and as a
unit, and we know where we went wrong and we’ve been working on that this week,” he
explains.
“It helps to be playing the same team a week later, we’re essentially getting a second chance
which doesn’t happen often and hopefully we right our wrongs this weekend.”
Identifying areas that let the team down, he explains that sharpening their skillsets and upping
the physicality are the primary tasks they want to accomplish this weekend, knowing how
important victory will be to their campaign aims.

“We take every game seriously and we know a win will put us in a good position on the log;
every win or log point from now on is crucial and it goes without saying that we need to strive
for wins in every game we play.”
If the Sharks achieve the win at home, they will clinch the SA Shield. All roads
lead to Kings Park for what promises to be a cracker of a match between two
proud South African sides.

Sharks
1. Ox Nche
2. Bongi Mbonambi
3. Vincent Koch
4. Jason Jenkins
5. Emile van Heerden
6. Phepsi Buthelezi
7. Lappies Labuschagne
8. Siya Kolisi
9. Grant Williams
10. Jordan Hendrikse
11. Ethan Hooker
12. Francois Venter
13. Jurenzo Julius
14. Yaw Penxe
15. Henry Immelman *
Replacements
16. Fez Mbatha
17. Ntuthuko Mchunu
18. Hanro Jacobs
19. Corne Rahl
20. James Venter
21. Nick Hatton
22. Jaden Hendrikse
23. Hakeem Kunene
*Denotes a player debut for the Sharks
The following players are not available for selection due to injury:
Andre Esterhuizen
Aphelele Fassi
Bryce Calvert
Diego Appollis
Dylan Richardson
Eben Etzebeth
Gerbrandt Grobler
Jaco Williams
Khwezi Mona
Lukhanyo Am
Makazole Mapimpi (suspension)
Manu Tshituka
Marnus Potgieter
Siya Masuku
Vincent Tshituka