Francois Venter takes over the armband in an otherwise unchanged Challenge Cup-winning Sharks lineup against the Vodacom Bulls in Durban on Saturday.
Head coach John Plumtree has stuck with the team that beat Gloucester in London last week, with skipper Eben Etzebeth and fellow two-time Springbok world champions Makazole Mapimpi the notable absentees.
In the only changes to the starting XV, Corne Rahl comes in for Etzebeth at lock and Eduan Keyter lines up in the left winger position with scrumhalf Cameron Wright replacing the injured Grant Williams.
Kwezi Mona, Bradley Davids, Boeta Chamberlain and Diego Appollis have been rewarded with a place in the matchday 23 for the Sharks’ last match of the Vodacom URC season at Kings Park.
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There is much riding on the outcome of the match for the Bulls, who are the SA Shield front-runners and currently sitting in second place on the standings, with the potential to top the table should log-leaders Munster succumb to fellow Irish side Ulster.
“It’s important for us to sign off on a positive note,” said Plumtree. “It’s also a massive challenge for us because we’ve only just got back and our week’s prep has been compromised.
“We also put a lot of energy and effort into winning the Challenge Cup with a lot of travel, having spent four of the last six weeks away from home.
“But it’s important that in our last game, in front of our home crowd, that we go out there and put on a performance that everyone enjoys.”
Sharks – 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Werner Kok, 13 Ethan Hooker, 12 Francois Venter (c), 11 Eduan Keyter, 10 Siya Masuku, 9 Cameron Wright, 8 Phepsi Buthelezi, 7 Vincent Tshituka, 6 James Venter, 5 Gerbrandt Grobler, 4 Corne Rahl, 3 Vincent Koch, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Ox Nche.
Subs: 16 Fez Mbatha, 17 Ntuthuko Mchunu, 18 Khwezi Mona, 19 Jeandre Labuschagne, 20 Dylan Richardson, 21 Bradley Davids, 22 Boeta Chamberlain, 23 Diego Appollis.
Photo: Steve Haag Sports/Gallo Images
The post Venter to lead Sharks in season finale appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Francois Venter takes over the armband in an otherwise unchanged Challenge Cup-winning Sharks lineup against the Vodacom Bulls in Durban on Saturday.
The post Venter to lead Sharks in season finale appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Read More
