The Sharks are bringing out the heavy artillery for their upcoming face-off against Leinster this Saturday in Dublin, as part of the Vodacom United Rugby Championship. The squad is turbocharged with the return of four Springboks who are set to add some serious muscle to the lineup.
Wingers Makazole Mapimpi and Ethan Hooker are primed to start, potentially leaving defenders in the dust with their blistering pace. Meanwhile, the bench is stacked with the likes of prop Vincent Koch and hooker Bongi Mbonambi, ready to bring the heat in the second half. The flyhalf Siya Masuku is also back in action, as the Sharks aim to wrap up their tour with a victory, following a mixed bag of results – a loss to Glasgow and a stalemate with the Dragons.
But wait, there’s more shuffling in the pack! The only other tweak to the starting XV sees Jason Jenkins stepping in for Deon Slabbert in the second row, ensuring that the engine room has all the grunt it needs against a formidable Leinster squad.
"I know what it takes to be a Bok again."
The team sheet reads like a who’s who of rugby talent, poised to make a statement on the field. Starting lineup: Edwill van der Merwe at fullback, joined by Hooker and Mapimpi on the wings, with Jurenzo Julius and Lukhanyo Am as centers. Jean Smith takes the flyhalf position, dishing out passes to scrumhalf Jaden Hendrikse. The formidable Tshituka brothers, Vincent and Emmanuel, hold down the fort at eight and seven, flanked by Phepsi Buthelezi. Marvin Orie and Jenkins lock down the scrum, supported by Ruan Dreyer, Fez Mbatha, and Simphiwe Matanzima up front.
Off the bench, reinforcements like Mbonambi, Dian Bleuler, Koch, Bathobele Hlekani, Nick Hatton, Ross Braude, Masuku, and Francois Venter are chomping at the bit to make an impact.
The Sharks posted a cheeky hint of their game plan on social media, noting the need for "a few reinforcements to take on Leinster’s Lions," signaling that they’re not just in Dublin for a friendly hello. With a lineup like this, the Sharks are clearly looking to leave a mark and fly back with a win tucked under their fins.
Teams: Sharks – 15 Edwill van der Merwe, 14 Ethan Hooker, 13 Jurenzo Julius, 12 Lukhanyo Am, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Jean Smith, 9 Jaden Hendrikse, 8 Vincent Tshituka (c), 7 Emmanuel Tshituka, 6 Phepsi Buthelezi, 5 Marvin Orie, 4 Jason Jenkins, 3 Ruan Dreyer, 2 Fez Mbatha, 1 Simphiwe Matanzima. Bench: 16 Bongi Mbonambi, 17 Dian Bleuler, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 Bathobele Hlekani, 20 Nick Hatton, 21 Ross Braude, 22 Si
2,193 posts
The Sharks are bringing out the heavy artillery for their upcoming face-off against Leinster this Saturday in Dublin, as part of the Vodacom United Rugby Championship. The squad is turbocharged with the return of four Springboks who are set to add some serious muscle to the lineup.
Wingers Makazole Mapimpi and Ethan Hooker are primed to start, potentially leaving defenders in the dust with their blistering pace. Meanwhile, the bench is stacked with the likes of prop Vincent Koch and hooker Bongi Mbonambi, ready to bring the heat in the second half. The flyhalf Siya Masuku is also back in action, as the Sharks aim to wrap up their tour with a victory, following a mixed bag of results – a loss to Glasgow and a stalemate with the Dragons.
But wait, there’s more shuffling in the pack! The only other tweak to the starting XV sees Jason Jenkins stepping in for Deon Slabbert in the second row, ensuring that the engine room has all the grunt it needs against a formidable Leinster squad.
"I know what it takes to be a Bok again."
The team sheet reads like a who’s who of rugby talent, poised to make a statement on the field. Starting lineup: Edwill van der Merwe at fullback, joined by Hooker and Mapimpi on the wings, with Jurenzo Julius and Lukhanyo Am as centers. Jean Smith takes the flyhalf position, dishing out passes to scrumhalf Jaden Hendrikse. The formidable Tshituka brothers, Vincent and Emmanuel, hold down the fort at eight and seven, flanked by Phepsi Buthelezi. Marvin Orie and Jenkins lock down the scrum, supported by Ruan Dreyer, Fez Mbatha, and Simphiwe Matanzima up front.
Off the bench, reinforcements like Mbonambi, Dian Bleuler, Koch, Bathobele Hlekani, Nick Hatton, Ross Braude, Masuku, and Francois Venter are chomping at the bit to make an impact.
The Sharks posted a cheeky hint of their game plan on social media, noting the need for "a few reinforcements to take on Leinster’s Lions," signaling that they’re not just in Dublin for a friendly hello. With a lineup like this, the Sharks are clearly looking to leave a mark and fly back with a win tucked under their fins.
Teams: Sharks – 15 Edwill van der Merwe, 14 Ethan Hooker, 13 Jurenzo Julius, 12 Lukhanyo Am, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Jean Smith, 9 Jaden Hendrikse, 8 Vincent Tshituka (c), 7 Emmanuel Tshituka, 6 Phepsi Buthelezi, 5 Marvin Orie, 4 Jason Jenkins, 3 Ruan Dreyer, 2 Fez Mbatha, 1 Simphiwe Matanzima. Bench: 16 Bongi Mbonambi, 17 Dian Bleuler, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 Bathobele Hlekani, 20 Nick Hatton, 21 Ross Braude, 22 Si