The Sharks welcome back several Springboks for Saturday’s Vodacom URC match against the Bulls at Loftus Versfeld.
Props Ox Nché and Vincent Koch, No 8 Phepsi Buthelezi, flyhalf Jordan Hendrikse, centre André Esterhuizen and winger Makazole Mapimpi will all start having missed last week’s loss to the Lions at Ellis Park.
However, flank Siya Kolisi, scrumhalf Grant William and centre Ethan Hooker remain unavailable due to Springbok rest protocol.
Winger Jaco Williams starts at fullback in the absence of Aphelele Fassi.
The Sharks are 10th on the URC log – a point behind the eighth-placed Bulls who have a game in hand – and top of the SA Shield standings.
URC SA SHIELD: Up for grabs as Sharks falter
SHARKS – 15 Jaco Williams, 14 Edwill van der Merwe, 13 Jurenzo Julius, 12 André Esterhuizen (c), 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Jordan Hendrikse, 9 Jaden Hendrikse, 8 Phepsi Buthelezi, 7 Vincent Tshituka, 6 Tino Mavesere, 5 Emile van Heerden, 4 Jason Jenkins, 3 Vincent Koch, 2 Eduan Swart, 1 Ox Nché.
Bench: 16 Fez Mbatha, 17 Phatu Ganyane, 18 Hanro Jacobs, 19 Corne Rahl, 20 Thomas Dyer, 21 Ross Braude, 22 Siya Masuku, 23 Yaw Penxe.
Photo: Anton Geyser/Gallo Images
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