Sharks reveal new halfback pairing for Bulls clash

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Sharks head coach Etienne Fynn has revealed his team for their Currie Cup clash against the Bulls in Pretoria on Wednesday.

Fynn has made a number of changes to his team that defeated the Pumas in their most recent match.

There’s a new lock partnership with Emile van Heerden and Hyron Andrews taking over from Le Roux Roets and Reniel Hugo, both of whom featured in the Sharks' URC victory over the Scarletts at Kings Park on Friday.

There is also a new halfback pairing as Cameron Wright takes over from Sanele Nohamba at scrumhalf (and also takes on the vice-captaincy from Jeremy Ward who also played in the URC match), while Joaquin Diaz Bonilla starts at flyhalf.

With Ward not involved, Marnus Potgieter shifts to centre and Curwin Gertse gets a start on the wing.

With one loss in their four-match campaign, the Blue Bulls are entrenched in the top four, while the Free State Cheetahs and Sharks, occupying positions one and two on the log, enjoy unbeaten status.

The two teams both have 18 points from a maximum of 20, with points’ difference the only deciding factor in log positions.

Sharks: 15 Inny-Christian Radebe, 14 Yaw Penxe, 13 Marnus Potgieter, 12 Murray Koster, 11. Curwin Gertse, 10 Joaquin Diaz Bonilla, 9 Cameron Wright, 8 Celimpilo Gumede, 7 Thembelani Bholi, 6 James Venter (captain), 5 Hyron Andrews, 4 Emile van Heerden, 3 Wiehahn Herbst, 2 Fezokuhle Mbatha, 1 Dian Bleuler.

Replacements: 16 Dan Jooste, 17 Braam Reyneke, 18 Lourens Adriaanse, 19 Jeandre Labusagne, 20 Ntsika Fisanti, 21 Sanele Nohamba, 22 Jordan Chait, 23 Ethan Fisher.

Date: Wednesday, March 16

Venue: Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria

Kick-off: 20.00 (18.00 GMT)

Referee: Marius van der Westhuizen

Assistant Referees: Paul Mente, Local

TMO: Egon Seconds