Sharks name team to face the Bulls

The Sharks will travel to Loftus Versfeld for Saturday’s second round Vodacom United Rugby Championship clash with the Vodacom Bulls.
The return leg of this fixtures presents a big challenge for the side, missing a number of internationals, but still able to name a side that has plenty of experience at this level.

Vincent Tshituka continues to carry the leadership responsibilities in the absence of Springboks Eben Etzebeth and Siya Kolisi, and he is one of a number of changes to the forward pack that stood up to the Bulls in the first-round clash, won by the Durban side at Kings Park less than two months ago.

The Bulls will have to contend with a Springbok front row comprising Ntuthuko Mchunu , Bongi Mbonambi and Trevor Nyakane who will have a massive task upfront as they look to tame their front row counterparts. Corne Rahl and Jason Jenkins form the second-row partnership with Tshituka linking up with Tino Mavesere and Phepsi Buthelezi in the back row.

Grant Williams and Siya Masuku form the halfback pairing, taking over from brothers Jaden and Jordan Hendrikse who featured in round one, while Lukhanyo Am partners with Jurenzo
Julius in the midfield and Ethan Hooker, Yaw Penxe and Jordan Hendrikse complete the team, comprising the back three.

The Bulls have won two of their last VURC games, the only loss was going down to the Sharks, a narrow 20-17 defeat in Durban in December, while the
Sharks also have a run of two from their last three. This match promises to be every bit as intense and physical as we’ve come to expect in derby
matches between the two sides.

Sharks
1. Ntuthuko Mchunu
2. Bongi Mbonambi
3. Trevor Nyakane
4. Corne Rahl
5. Jason Jenkins
6. Tinotenda Mavesere

7. Vincent Tshituka (c)
8. Phepsi Buthelezi
9. Grant Williams
10. Siya Masuku
11. Ethan Hooker
12. Lukhanyo Am
13. Jurenzo Julius
14. Yaw Penxe
15. Jordan Hendrikse
Replacements
16. Ethan Bester
17. Ruan Dreyer
18. Hanro Jacobs
19. Lappies Labuschagne
20. Jannes Potgieter
21. Bradley Davids
22. Francois Venter
23. Jaco Williams

The following players are not available for selection due to injury or mandatory
Springbok leave:
Andre Esterhuizen
Aphelele Fassi
Bryce Calvert
Diego Appollis
Dylan Richardson
Eben Etzebeth
Emile van Heerden
Fez Mbatha
Gerbrandt Grobler
Hakeem Kunene
Jaden Hendrikse (Springbok leave)
James Venter
Khwezi Mona
Makazole Mapimpi (suspension)
Manu Tshituka
Marnus Potgieter
Nick Hatton
Ox Nche
Siya Kolisi (Springbok leave)