Eighteen-year-old fullback Zekhethelo Siyaya will make his Sharks debut against the Ospreys in Swansea on Saturday.
Last year, Siyaya starred for Westville Boys’ High and the Sharks at the U18 Craven Week, earning SA Schools selection.
He represented the Junior Boks earlier this year against Georgia and now gets an opportunity at Vodacom URC level in the absence of injured fullbacks Aphelele Fassi, Luan Giliomee, Hakeem Kunene and Jaco Williams.
Springbok centre André Esterhuizen returns to captain the team, having been rested for the last-16 EPCR Challenge Cup clash against Connacht, but flank Siya Kolisi remains sidelined with a calf injury despite being named in the touring squad.
Bok props Ox Nché and Vincent Koch are on the bench as Phatu Ganyane and Hanro Jacobs start.
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Bok lock Eben Etzebeth was this week ruled out of the remainder of the season with a hip injury.
The Sharks are 10th on the URC log with 33 points, with the Ospreys 11th, a single point behind.
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SHARKS – 15 Zekhethelo Siyaya, 14 Edwill van der Merwe, 13 Le Roux Malan, 12 André Esterhuizen (c), 11 Ethan Hooker, 10 Jean Smith, 9 Jaden Hendrikse, 8 Manu Tshituka, 7 Vincent Tshituka, 6 Phepsi Buthelezi, 5 Emile van Heerden, 4 Jason Jenkins, 3 Hanro Jacobs, 2 Fez Mbatha, 1 Phatu Ganyane.
Bench: 16 Eduan Swart, 17 Ox Nché, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 Corné Rahl, 20 Nick Hatton, 21 Bradley Davids, 22 Siya Masuku, 23 Jurenzo Julius.
Photo: Sydney Seshibedi/Gallo Images
The post Sharks blood teenage star appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Eighteen-year-old fullback Zekhethelo Siyaya will make his Sharks debut against the Ospreys in Swansea on Saturday.
The post Sharks blood teenage star appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Read More
