Siya Kolisi has been deployed to a new role, but the Sharks still opted for continuity in team selection for their United Rugby Championship clash with Munster Rugby in Durban on Saturday.
The match kicks off at 4pm at Kings Park.
Head coach John Plumtree has rejigged his loose forward trio, shifting Springbok captain Siya Kolisi to eighthman, with Phepsi Buthelezi playing off the bench this week and James Venter coming into the starting line-up at flank, joined by Vincent Tshituka, with Emmanuel Tshituka dropping out.
Grant Williams comes in for Jaden Hendrikse at scrumhalf, the pair swapping jerseys for the final change to the starting XV.
After defeating the reigning champions, this week it’s the turn of Irish giants Munster who visit Kings Park off the back of a 34-19 loss to the Stormers in Cape Town in their first tour match last week.
For Sharks fullback Aphelele Fassi, it’s all about the twin aim of stopping their opponents while implementing their game plan on the Irish.
“We know that Munster is a quality side with a lot of internationals who want to play a quick controlled game. We’ve done our review and have plans on how we want to stop them as well as implement our game and create opportunities for ourselves as well.”
Sharks — 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Eduan Keyter, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Jordan Hendrikse, 9 Grant Williams, 8 Siya Kolisi, 7 Vincent Tshituka, 6 James Venter, 5 Emile van Heerden, 4 Eben Etzebeth (captain), 3 Vincent Koch, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Ox Nche.
Subs: 16 Fez Mbatha, 17 Ntuthuko Mchunu, 18 Ruan Dreyer, 19 Jason Jenkins, 20 Phepsi Buthelezi, 21 Jaden Hendrikse, 22 Siya Masuku, 23 Francois Venter.
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