JP Pietersen has named teenage sensation Zekhethelo Siyaya at flyhalf for the Sharks’ Vodacom URC clash against Benetton in Durban on Saturday.
The 18-year-old will play in only his third match for the senior side, having started both his previous matches at fullback. He replaces Jean Smith, who drops down to the bench.
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In other changes, Pietersen has reinstated Springbok heavies Ox Nché and Vincent Koch to the starting XV while Jurenzo Julius returns to partner captain André Esterhuizen in the midfield. Jaco Williams returns from injury and starts at fullback.
The Sharks have had two weeks to regroup following their failure to qualify for the top eight – a bitter blow for a squad packed with Springbok talent.
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Saturday’s clash will also mark the beginning of an emotional farewell for Springbok captain Siya Kolisi, who will leave Durban at the end of the season to return to Cape Town and rejoin the Stormers.
SHARKS – 15 Jaco Williams, 14 Edwill van der Merwe, 13 Jurenzo Julius, 12 André Esterhuizen (c), 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Zekhethelo Siyaya, 9 Bradley Davids, 8 Emmanuel Tshituka, 7 Vincent Tshituka, 6 Siya Kolisi, 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 Corné Rahl, 20 Nicholas Hatton, 21 Ross Braude, 22 Jean Smith, 23 Litelihle Bester.
Photo: Gruffydd Thomas/Gallo Images
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