Ethan Hooker returns as Sharks suffer fresh Springboks blow in crucial URC Race to Eight bid
Sharks centre Ethan Hooker (INPHO/Steve Haag Sports/Darren Stewart/EPCR) and an inset of Grant Williams (Andrew SURMA/SIPA USA)
Sharks head coach JP Pietersen has made just two changes to his starting lineup for the United Rugby Championship clash against Cardiff on Friday evening.
The Durbanites thrashed Munster 45-0 in Durban last weekend, and Pietersen has not tinkered with the winning formula unnecessarily.
Siya Kolisi was a late withdrawal from the matchday 23 last week and was replaced by Nick Hatton, who retains his spot at the back of the scrum. The Sharks forward pack therefore remains unchanged with Vincent Tshituka and Phepsi Buthelezi completing the loose trio whilst Emile van Heerden and Jason Jenkins combine in the second row.
Williams setback, Hooker returns
The starting front row also remains intact with tighthead Hanro Jacobs, hooker Fez Mbatha and loosehead Phatu Ganyane backed to replicate their efforts in the scrum against the Irish province.
Bradley Davids, who returned from injury against Munster, is named as the starting scrum-half, taking over from Springboks nine Grant Williams who is ruled out through injury. Davids partners Jordan Hendrikse in the halfbacks while Ethan Hooker is the only other change to the run-on team – he is back from family responsibility leave to partner captain Andre Esterhuizen in the midfield.
Finally, youngster Luan Giliomee earns his second start for the Sharks after a try-scoring debut against Munster with Yaw Penxe and Makazole Mapimpi on the wings.
Eduan Swart, Ox Nche and Vincent Koch will provide front row impact from the bench with Corne Rahl and Jannes Potgieter completing the five forward count. Jean Smith and Le Roux Malan are named as two of the backline replacements, with Jaden Hendrikse or Ross Braude set to fill the number 21 jersey.
The clash against Cardiff will also serve as the final fixture of Eben Etzebeth’s ban, with the Sharks veteran free to play the team’s next fixture, which will be the Challenge Cup round of 16 clash against Connacht next weekend.
The Sharks enter the clash against Cardiff ranked 11th overall on the URC table but still have an outside chance of making the play-off stages of the competition, essentially having to win their remaining fixtures in the Race to Eight.
After the meeting with the Ospreys, they face Edinburgh in the Scottish capital before back-to-back home games against Italian outfits Benetton and Zebre in May.
Sharks team to face Cardiff
Sharks: 15 Luan Giliomee, 14 Yaw Penxe, 13 Ethan Hooker, 12 Andre Esterhuizen (c), 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Jordan Hendrikse, 9 Bradley Davids, 8 Nick Hatton, 7 Vincent Tshituka, 6 Phepsi Buthelezi, 5 Emile van Heerden, 4 Jason Jenkins, 3 Hanro Jacobs, 2 Fez Mbatha, 1 Phatu Ganyane
Replacements: 16 Eduan Swart, 17 Ox Nche, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 Corne Rahl, 20 Jannes Potgieter, 21 Jaden Hendrikse / Ross Braude, 22 Jean Smith, 23 Le Roux Malan
Players not considered for selection due to injury or suspension: Aphelele Fassi, Bongi Mbonambi, Bryce Calvert, Ethan Bester, Eben Etzebeth (suspension), Francois Venter, Grant Williams, Jaco Williams, Jurenzo Julius, Lili Bester, Manu Tshituka, Marvin Orie, Matt Romao, Ruan Dreyer, Simphiwe Matanzima, Siya Kolisi, Siya Masuku, Tinotenda Mavesere, Trevor Nyakane
Venue: Hollywoodbets Kings Park, Durban
Date: Friday, 27 March
Kick-off: 17.00 IRE & UK, 18.00 ITA, 19.00 SA
Referee: Gianluca Gnecchi
Assistants: Morne Ferreira, Jonathan Lottering
TMO: Marius van der Westhuisen
Live on: SuperSport, Premier Sports, Flo Rugby & URC.tv
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