Lions v Sharks teams: JP Pietersen’s first teamsheet missing top Springboks as silverware on the line
Aphelele Fassi starts for the Sharks but several Springboks are missing.
The Sharks will be without several Springboks due to player welfare rest protocols for their United Rugby Championship fixture with the Lions at Ellis Park on Saturday.
Siya Kolisi, Andre Esterhuizen, Bongi Mbonambi, Ox Nche, Ethan Hooker and other stars are missing this week in what is another key game in the race for the top eight.
Currently, these two South African outfits are level on 24 points but the Lions occupy ninth position ahead of the Sharks in tenth due to their superior points difference.
JP Pietersen rewarded
It will be a special day for JP Pietersen as this is the first fixture since the ex-Bok was named as permanent head coach of the Sharks, reward for a fine run of URC form.
Vincent Tshituka will captain Pietersen’s side and despite the absences of many of their Springboks, the squad retains significant experience throughout the matchday 23, particularly amongst the replacements, where three Springboks – Phepsi Buthelezi, Vincent Koch and Jordan Hendrikse – add valuable impact and composure for this game.
Second-row Darrien Landsberg will make his 50th appearance for the Lions on Saturday while talented youngster Siba Mahashe is set for his tournament debut on home soil.
Springboks legend JP Pietersen confirmed as Sharks permanent head coach in major strategic overhaul
A win for the Sharks would see them move into the top eight places and also secure retention of the SA Shield after strong form against their countrymen this campaign.
The Lions though will be desperate to bounce back from their 53-17 home URC defeat to the Bulls last time out and boast plenty of quality in their line-up for a key game.
The likes of Francke Horn, Henco van Wyk, Morne van den Berg, Quan Horn, Asenathi Ntlabakanye and Etienne Oosthuizen all must be at their best if they are to win and go back-to-back against their local rivals after Haashim Pead’s heroics in Durban.
The teams
Lions: 15 Quan Horn, 14 Kelly Mpeku, 13 Henco van Wyk, 12 Bronson Mills, 11 Angelo Davids, 10 Chris Smith, 9 Morne van den Berg, 8 Francke Horn (c), 7 Ruan Venter, 6 Siba Mahashe, 5 Darrien Landsberg, 4 Etienne Oosthuizen, 3 Asenathi Ntlabakanye, 2 PJ Botha, 1 SJ Kotze
Replacements: 16 Francois Marais, 17 RF Schoeman, 18 Eddie Davids, 19 Reinhard Nothnagel, 20 Batho Hlekani, 21 Renzo du Plessis, 22 Haashim Pead, 23 Erich Cronje
Sharks: 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Edwill van der Merwe, 13 Francois Venter, 12 Jurenzo Julius, 11 Jaco Williams, 10 Siya Masuku, 9 Jaden Hendrikse, 8 Thomas Dyer, 7 Vincent Tshituka (c), 6 Tino Mavesere, 5 Jason Jenkins, 4 Corne Rahl, 3 Hanro Jacobs, 2 Fez Mbatha, 1 Phatu Ganyane
Replacements: 16 Eduan Swart, 17 Cameron Dawson, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 Emile van Heerden, 20 Phepsi Buthelezi, 21 Ross Braude, 22 Jordan Hendrikse, 23 Yaw Penxe
Date: Saturday, February 21
Venue: Ellis Park, Johannesburg
Kick-off: 14:00 local (12:00 GMT)
Referee: Griffin Colby (SARU, 12th league game)
Assistant Referees: Aimee Barrett-Theron (SARU), Zoe Naude (SARU)
TMO: Quinton Immelman (SARU)
Live on: SuperSport, Premier Sports, Flo Rugby
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