Siya to make his Sharks debut
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Springboks captain Siya Kolisi has been named in the Sharks' starting XV for Friday's Preparations match against Bulls.
Sharks head coach Sean Everitt has thrown in a number of players who were part of the conditioning group.
Amongst them is the inclusion of the former Stormers flank Siya Kolisi.
The newly-signed Springbok will don the No.6 jersey in Durban.
The front row also sees the return of Ox Nche and Thomas du Toit.
Ruben van Heerden partners with namesake Emile in the second row while Henco Venter and Sikhumbuzo Notshe complete the back row.
Jaden Hendrikse partners Boeta Chamberlain at halfback, with Marius Louw back at inside centre, as is Sbu Nkosi on the wing and Anthony Volmink completing the changes at fullback.
Flying wing Yaw Penxe was back in action for the Sharks last week after training with the conditioning group for the opening two matches of the preparation series and is again named in the starting line-up.
“It was lovely to take the field again,” he enthused.
“We were really hungry to play and being back in action was really special.”
Looking ahead to Friday’s match against the Bulls, he believes it’s going to be a real spectacle of rugby featuring the Currie Cup finalists.
“It’s going to be a big one, I assume the Bulls will also play their senior players. It’s going to be a huge clash, one we’re really looking forward to.
“There’s a vibe amongst the boys, a lot of excitement.”
Given the team’s goals in this series of matches, not so much about the results as creating finesse around the style of play, the game plan and developing depth, Penxe believes the team has really benefited.
“We did achieve what we wanted to in fine-tuning our processes, and in our losses, it was discipline here or there or just minor errors.
“Going into this final game, we’re looking to put everything into place and hopefully put in a really proper performance.”
Sharks: 15 Anthony Volmink, 14 Sbu Nkosi, 13 Lukhanyo Am (Captain), 12 Marius Louw, 11 Yaw Penxe, 10 Boeta Chamberlain, 9 Jaden Hendrikse, 8 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 7 Henco Venter 6 Siya Kolisi, 5 Emile van Heerden, 4 Ruben van Heerden, 3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Fez Mbatha, 1 Ox Nche.
Replacemets: 16 Kerron van Vuuren, 17 Mzamo Majola, 18 John-Hubert Meyer, 19 JJ van der Mescht, 20 Phepsi Buthelezi, 21 Sanele Nohamba, 22 Rynhardt Jonker, 23 Aphelele Fassi
Date: Friday, March 26
Venue: Kings Park, Durban
Kick-off: 19.00 (17.00 GMT)
Referee: Marius van der Westhuizen
Assistant Referees: Aimee Barrett-Theron, Ashleigh Murray
TMO: Stuart Berry