Sharks To Face Dupont’s Side Without Four Boks Players
The Sharks will be without four Springboks players when they host Investec Champions Cup title-holders Toulouse at Hollywoodbets Kings Park on Saturday.
Those players are lock Eben Etzebeth, Andre Esterhuizen, and Aphelele Fassi, who are all out due to injuries.
Lukhanyo Am, who is the Sharks skipper, is also absent due to an unknown injury.
It means Springboks captain Siya Kolisi will lead Sharks in one of the most eagerly anticipated rugby matches in recent times, as the Durban side, reigning EPCR Challenge Cup champions, host Investec Champions Cup title-holders.
This crucial third match of the pool stages pits two of the biggest names in franchise rugby in what should be an epic showdown between two teams proudly representing South Africa and France.
Bongi Mbonambi’s welcome return sees him form an all-Bok front row, alongside Ox Nche and Vincent Koch.
Francois Venter partners Ethan Hooker in the midfield, while Makazole Mapimpi is back in the starting line-up after missing the Stormers game. Hakeem Kunene is named at fullback in the absence of Fassi.
Commenting on the scrum battle and the return of his front row partner, Ox Nche admits that given the size of the challenge they face, Bongi Mbonambi’s inclusion is a big boost for the Hollywoodbets Sharks.
“Bongi is a vital part of the pack, but scrumming is a pack effort involving all eight guys, and against a team like Toulouse, if one guy is off, it becomes very difficult.
“I’ve scrummed a lot of games with Bongi, so I connect well with him, we’re both on the same page and he’s a big factor in our scrum.”
Saturday’s match at Hollywoodbets Kings Park kicks off at 5.15pm.
Hollywoodbets Sharks
- Ox Nche
- Bongi Mbonambi
- Vincent Koch
- Corne Rahl
- Jason Jenkins
- Phepsi Buthelezi
- ManuTshituka
- Siya Kolisi (Captain)
- Jaden Hendrikse
- Jordan Hendrikse
- Makazole Mapimpi
- Francois Venter
- Ethan Hooker
- Yaw Penxe
- Hakeem Kunene
Replacements
- Dylan Richardson
- Ruan Dreyer
- Trevor Nyakane
- Lappies Labuschagne
- Vincent Tshituka
- Nick Hatton
- Bradley Davids
- Jurenzo Julius
Ox Nche, Trevor Nyakane, Siya Kolisi, and Bongi Mbonambi of the Hollywoodbets Sharks during the Hollywoodbets Sharks Investec Champions Cup Training. Tuesday 7th January 2025 at the Hollywoodbets Kings Park Stadium in Durban South Africa. Mandatory Credit © (Steve Haag Sports)
