Sharks reveal list of injured Boks
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Sharks, looking to end their losing start to the United Rugby Championship, revealed a long list of injuries - including two World Cup-winning Springboks.
After losses to Munster (21-34), Leinster (13-34) and Ospreys (5-19), they are determined to end their European tour on a positive note when they take on Zebre in Parma on Friday.
However, with 12 players on the injury list - including World Cup winners Bongi Mbonambi (knee) and Vincent Koch (knee) - the Durban-based team's depth will be severely tested.
Mbonambi was injured early in the 12-11 World Cup Final win over New Zealand at Stade de France in Paris last month, while Koch has been struggling with his injury since the pool stages of the tournament.
While the Boks would have been on a compulsorily three-week post-World Cup break, there is no indication when they will be available for the team.
Other players who are also unavailable for the Sharks due to injury are Curwin Bosch (concussion), Eduan Keyter (knee), Francois Hougaard (knee), Kerron van Vuuren (knee), Le Roux Roets (knee), Muller du Plessis (knee), Nevaldo Fleurs (knee), Reniel Hugo (shoulder) and Vincent Tshituka (chest wall).
The average age of 23 underlines the youthful nature of the touring team for Friday's Round Four URC outing.
Given this injury toll and the missing Springboks, this tour experience and the learnings from it, will hold this young team in good stead moving forward.
The Sharks will be looking to make it three from three against their Italian opponents.
The inaugural season of URC action delivered a 38-6 win for the Sharks at Kings Park, while the last edition in the 2022/23 season brought about a much closer result, Zebre going down 37-42 at Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi in Parma, the venue for Friday's clash.
Coach John Plumtree has been fortunate to be able to mostly retain the same starting line-up and looking to build continuity, making just two changes.
George Cronje starts at No.8, swapping jerseys with last week's incumbent Sikhumbuzo Notshe.
Boeta Chamberlain has come into the starting line-up in place of the injured Curwin Bosch.
Sharks: 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Werner Kok, 13 Francois Venter (captain), 12 Rohan Janse van Rensburg, 11 Aphiwe Dyantyi, 10 Boeta Chamberlain, 9 Cameron Wright, 8 George Cronje, 7 Phendulani Buthelezi, 6 James Venter, 5 Emile van Heerden, 4 Corne Rahl, 3 Coenie Oosthuizen, 2 Dylan Richardson, 1 Ntuthuko Mchunu.
Replacements: 16 Daniel Jooste, 17 Khwezi Mona, 18 Hanro Jacobs, 19 Hyron Andrews, 20 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 21 Zee Mkhabela, 22 Lionel Cronje, 23 Marnus Potgieter.
Date: Friday, November 10
Venue: Stadio Lanfranchi, Parma
Kick-off: 18.30 (19.30 SAST; 17.30 GMT)
Referee: Peter Martin
Assistant referees: Riccardo Angelucci, Filippo Bertili
TMO: Mark Patton