Sharks bring in new boys for Bulls clash

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Sharks head coach Sean Everitt has named his team to face the Bulls in their Super Rugby opener in Durban on Friday.

The team closely resembles the starting line-up that took on the Stormers in the Superhero Sunday pre-season warm-up match with a number of players set to make their debut in the black and white jersey.

Making their run-on debuts are three forwards - loosehead prop Ox Nche, flank James Venter and No.8 Sikhumbuzo Notshe who all made the move to Durban late last year.

Le Roux Roets (lock) and Henco Venter (loose forward) – also new signings – together with local talents who performed in last year’s Currie Cup, scrumhalf Sanele Nohamba and flyhalf Boeta Chamberlain, will play off the bench.

Lukhanyo Am will lead the team from the midfield.

Sharks: 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Sibusiso Nkosi, 13 Lukhanyo Am (captain), 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Curwin Bosch, 9 Louis Schreuder, 8 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 7 Tyler Paul, 6 James Venter, 5 Hyron Andrews, 4 Ruben van Heerden, 3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Kerron van Vuuren, 1 Ox Nche.

Replacements: 16 Craig Burden, 17 Juan Schoeman, 18 John-Hubert Meyer, 19 Le Roux Roets, 20 Henco Venter, 21 Sanele Nohamba, 22 Boeta Chamberlain, 23 Jeremy Ward.

Date: Friday, January 31

Venue: Kings Park, Durban

Kick-off: 19.10 (17.10 GMT)

Referee: Marius van der Westhuizen (South Africa)

Assistant referees: Jaco Peyper (South Africa), Egon Seconds (South Africa)

TMO: Marius Jonker (South Africa)