Kolisi To Skipper The Sharks Against Stormers

Springbok captain Siya Kolisi will captain the Sharks when they host Stormers in the Vodacom Rugby Championship at Kings Park Stadium on Saturday (17:00).
Kolisi helped the Boks with a clean sweep last weekend when they beat Wales to win all three matches in the Autumn Nations Series.
Also, in the starting line-up are Ox Nche, Vincent Koch, Jaden Hendriske, Makazole Mapimpi, Andre Esterhuizen, Lukhanyo Am, and Aphelele Fassi, who helped the Boks win the Series for the first time in 2013. Grant Williams and Jordan Hendriske, who started in the half-back along with his brother Jaden against Wales, are on the bench.
Springbok capped holder Eben Etzebeth is out injured and that is why Kolisi will skipper the side.
The Sharks will look to add to their tally of wins over previous winners DHL Stormers in Durban.
To do this requires a monumental effort against the 2021/22 champions, but home victories over last year’s winners Glasgow Warriors backed up victory over Munster who won the previous year put the Durban side on a strong trajectory to make it three from three.
Head coach John Plumtree has upped the ante in this regard, demonstrating his willingness to select the strongest team possible with a strong contingent of test-match players.
Lock Jason Jenkins admits that his team is primed and ready for action this week after a break in the competition during the autumn internationals. He also acknowledges the value of making home-ground advantage count, and to build a fortress that visiting teams find imposing.
“This weekend is huge for us, we’ve spoken as a squad about making Hollywoodbets Kings Park a special place where it’s tough for teams to play and come and win,” he said.
“The whole squad has bought into that, we’re all on the same page and we must keep the momentum that we have.
“To have three games in a row against the champions is exciting, and winning this week will put us in the right place, on the front foot, with a game in hand.”
Casting his eye on the opposition, he acknowledges just what a battle they have ahead of them.
“Look, any local derby is tough, it’s always a bit personal and while we don’t have a good track record against them in the URC, we’ll be looking to change that.
“It’s going to be a big weekend for us, we know it’s going to be tough, we know what they bring, but we’re looking forward to the game.”
Hollywoodbets Sharks
1. Ox Nche
2. Dylan Richardson
3. Vincent Koch
4. Jason Jenkins
5. Gerbrandt Grobler
6. James Venter
7. Vincent Tshituka
8. Siya Kolisi (C)
9. Jaden Hendrikse
10. Siya Masuku
11. Makazole Mapimpi
12. Andre Esterhuizen
13. Lukhanyo Am
14. Ethan Hooker
15. Aphelele Fassi
Replacements
16. Ethan Bester
17. Ntuthuko Mchunu
18. Trevor Nyakane
19. Corne Rahl
20. Phepsi Buthelezi
21. Emmanuel Tshituka
22. Grant Williams
23. Jordan Hendrikse