Bench role for Bosch as Sharks tweak pack
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Sharks and Bulls go head-to-head in an important United Rugby Championship clash at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria on Saturday.
The return leg, second round derby will be viewed as a crucial step towards the log chase, with some congestion between the four South African sides competing in the URC and plenty of motivation for various reasons.
Log positions are important, but a clinical, accurate, calm and disciplined performance will have been the talk in the camp during the week.
After the Sharks 30-16 first round victory at Kings Park in early December, they know that they need to look forward, not backwards. A strong performance against a physical Bulls side is vital and the team must match their opposition’s best efforts with relentless physicality of their own.
Sharks head coach Sean Everitt has made three changes to last week’s side, giving Gerbrandt Grobler a start in the second row with hard-working fellow lock Ruben van Heerden playing off the bench. In the other change to the pack, the vastly experienced Henco Venter comes in for the impressive youngster Jeandre Labuschagne at flank.
After big performances leading the Sharks in the Currie Cup, Marius Louw is called up to the URC side where he slots in at centre, with captain Lukhanyo Am moving back to his regular position at outside centre in place of Jeremy Ward.
More commanding performances at Currie Cup level have been just reward for the Springbok duo of loose forward Sikhumbuzo Notshe and flyhalf Curwin Bosch, both of whom returned from injury to play important roles in last week’s 35-20 victory over Western Province. The pair have been selected on the bench for this match.
Sharks: 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Sibusiso Nkosi, 13 Lukhanyo Am (captain), 12 Marius Louw, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Joaquín Díaz Bonilla, 9 Jaden Hendrikse, 8 Phepsi Buthelezi, 7 Henco Venter, 6 Siyamthanda Kolisi, 5 Hyron Andrews, 4 Gerbrandt Grobler, 3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Mbongeni Mbonambi, 1 Retshegofaditswe Nché
Replacements: 16 Kerron van Vuuren, 17 Ntuthuko Mchunu, 18 Khutha Mchunu, 19 Ruben van Heerden, 20 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 21 Grant Williams, 22 Curwin Bosch, 23 Werner Kok.
Date: Saturday, February 12
Venue: Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
Kick-off: 17.05 (15.05 GMT)
Referee: AJ Jacobs
Assistant Referees: Rasta Rasivhenge, Griffin Colby
TMO: Quinton Immelman