Settled Sharks ready for Loftus test
After a resounding first win of the Vodacom United Rugby
Championship last week, the Hollywoodbets Sharks will go into their crucial
clash with the Vodacom Bulls on Saturday with very similar side to the one that
beat the Dragons.
It's been a tough start to the season for the Sharks but last week showed that they are far stronger than their current log position suggests, and this week will be the ultimate test.
The Bulls currently sit third on the log and produced another strong display against Connacht at home last weekend.
With a plethora of Springboks in both starting line-ups it's a tantalising prospect coming up and Sharks coach John Plumtree knows that there will be an epic battle up front.
"There's plenty to look forward to in terms of our backline, but it will be won or lost up front," Plumtree said.
"It's like most games at Loftus, the forward pack that creates the most momentum will probably be the difference at the end of the day."
The Sharks have made just one change to the side that beat the Dragons with Aphiwe Dyanti coming into the starting line-up in place of Werner Kok, who has a slight hamstring niggle.
It's potentially going to be another epic showdown between the two sides who have been involved in a number of big games with the Sharks leading the head-to-head 3-2 against their Northerly neighbours.
Hollywoodbets Sharks v Vodacom Bulls Squad
1 Ntuthuko Mchunu, 2 Fez Mbatha, 3 Coenie Oosthuizen, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 5 Emile van Heerden, 6 James Venter, 7 Phepsi Buthelezi, 8 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 9 Jaden Hendrikse, 10 Curwin Bosch, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 12 Francois Venter, 13 Lukhanyo Am (c), 14 Aphiwe Dyantyi, 15 Aphelele Fassi.
Replacements
16 Daniel Jooste, 17 Ox Nche, 18 Hanro Jacobs, 19 Corne’ Rahl, 20 Lappies Labuschagne, 21 Grant Williams, 22 Boeta Chamberlain, 23 Rohan Janse van Rensburg.
