mens
united-rugby-championship
Eben Etzebeth will captain a Springbok-loaded Hollywoodbets Sharks XV when they visit Edinburgh in a Round 15 Vodacom United Rugby Championship fixture at the Hive Stadium on Friday night.
Head coach John Plumtree has, for the first time since beating Glasgow six months ago, been able to roll out his first-choice team, recalling World Cup winners Lukhanyo Am at outside-centre and Aphelele Fassi at full-back, while scrum-half Grant Williams returns via the bench.
With the Durban franchise lying 10th, four points off the play-off berths, Plumtree believes the timing of the reunion could not be better as his side embark on a two-match northern swing that will also take them to Parma to face Zebre.
“We want to set ourselves up for a home quarter-final and potentially a home semi,” the coach said, insisting that four straight wins would accomplish that task. “But for now, our focus is to do well on this tour.”
Edinburgh, coached by former Sharks boss Sean Everitt, arrive buoyed by last week’s EPCR Challenge Cup quarter-final triumph over the Bulls and a home semi against Bath. Their abrasive back-row led by Jamie Ritchie and Fiji powerhouse Viliame Mata threatens the Sharks’ bid to dominate the gain line.
Hollywoodbets Sharks team to face Edinburgh1. Ox Nche2. Bongi Mbonambi3. Vincent Koch4. Eben Etzebeth (c)5. Emile van Heerden6. Phepsi Buthelezi7. Vincent Tshituka8. Siya Kolisi9. Jaden Hendrikse10. Jordan Hendrikse11. Makazole Mapimpi12. André Esterhuizen13. Lukhanyo Am14. Ethan Hooker15. Aphelele Fassi
REPLACEMENTS: 16. Fez Mbatha17. Ntuthuko Mchunu18. Hanro Jacobs19. Jason Jenkins20. James Venter21. Grant Williams22. Siya Masuku23. Jurenzo Julius
