Andre Esterhuizen is back at 12 after a long injury layoff while James Venter joins him in the starting lineup for the Sharks’ top four bout against table-toppers Leinster after both came off the bench last week. Venter replaces Phepsi Buthelezi and the Springbok Centre’s elevation sees Ethan Hooker switch back to the wing with Yaw Penxe also changing positions from 14 to Fullback in place of the injured Henry Immelman.
John Plumtree was honest about his team’s failings which almost led to a shock loss at home to Zebre Parma and said that they’ve worked hard to eliminate issues such as too many turnovers and their inability to close down space when they conceded possession.
As far as the forwards are concerned, the Coach has seen weekly improvement and they are determined to maintain their 100% home record in the United Rugby Championship.
Considering that Leinster played for more than two months without their regular Irish Internationals and their last-gasp loss to the Bulls was their first of this season’s competition, it is clearly evident that their strength in depth is something to envy and the New Zealander certainly has high praise for the Irish Province’s structures.
Following the nail-biting win over Zebre, Plumtree knows that more performances in that vein will put pay to any title ambitions they might have in the URC or their defense of the Challenge Cup.
Kick-off at Hollywoodbets Kings Park between the Sharks and Leinster is at 19:15 on Saturday night.
Hollywoodbets Sharks:
1. Ox Nche
2. Bongi Mbonambi
3. Vincent Koch
4. Jason Jenkins
5. Emile van Heerden
6. James Venter
7. Vincent Tshituka
8. Siya Kolisi (C)
9. Jaden Hendrikse
10. Jordan Hendrikse
11. Makazole Mapimpi
12. Andre Esterhuizen
13. Jurenzo Julius
14. Ethan Hooker
15. Yaw Penxe
Replacements:
16. Fez Mbatha
17. Ntuthuko Mchunu
18. Ruan Dreyer
19. Corne’ Rahl
20. Manu Tshituka
21. Bradley Davids
22. Siya Masuku
23. Francois Venter
