Sharks make 5 changes for URC quarter-final against Munster
Head coach John Plumtree has made five changes to the Sharks side that defeated Scarlets last week for Saturday’s United Rugby Championship quarter-final clash with Munster in Durban.
Jason Jenkins starts at lock with Emile van Heerden moving to the bench.
James Venter returns to action at flank, while two-time Rugby World Cup-winning captain Siya Kolisi returns to the starting line-up at eighthman, replacing Phepsi Buthelezi, who will provide energy off the bench.
Jordan Hendrikse starts at flyhalf, and Lukhanyo Am is back for his 100th international game for the Sharks.
“We have a lot of confidence going into this game with four good wins in a row,” said centre Andre Esterhuizen this week.
“We have not played our best rugby, but it feels good that we know we can grind out wins if needed, especially at a wet Hollywoodbets Kings Park – it doesn’t look wet, but as soon as the dew sets in, the ball becomes difficult to handle.”
All four of the team’s recent victories have been close, and Esterhuizen admitted that it wasn’t exactly how they wanted to accomplish the wins.
“We never want to grind games out. We want to win them comfortably, like we know we can. But we are getting better week by week, so hopefully we can hit our straps against Munster. But if it means we have to grind out a win, that’s what we will do.
“We feel we are building something on attack and that we’re improving. We just need to accelerate into the next gear; we are close and we’re confident because every week we win while knowing we can be better.”
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