The Sharks side to take the field on Saturday is a Springbok-laden team that hosts Exeter Chiefs in a first round Investec Champions Cup clash at Kings Park.
Eben Etzebeth is back to lead the team against their English counterparts and the Sharks will be looking to impose themselves and a home fortress on Exeter.
“This is a very important game and we accept that we have a massive challenge ahead of us on Saturday,” loose forward Phepsi Buthelezi explained.
“We’ve prepared as best we can and look forward to it.”
The team are in a good place given recent results and will look to maintain their winning record.
“We’ve taken a lot of confidence out of our form in the VURC and now it’s a matter of translating that into this new competition. The nature of the tournament is a bit different, playing different teams from different countries, but it’s still a game within the four white lines and for us, we have taken a lot of confidence from our URC form and want to take that into this competition now.”
Casting his eye over Exeter, he warns that his team are in for a big test on Saturday.
“We believe that Exeter are a quality side. We’ve analysed them and they’re a really good team that likes to play with ball in hand. They’re well-coached with lots of good players.”
Sharks
15.Aphelele Fassi
14.Eduan Keyter
13.Ethan Hooker
12.Andre Esterhuizen
11.Makazole Mapimpi
10.Jordan Hendrikse
9.Grant Williams
8.Siya Kolisi
7.Vincent Tshituka
6.James Venter
5.Emile van Heerden
4.Eben Etzebeth (Captain)
3.Trevor Nyakane
2.Bongi Mbonambi
1.Ox Nche
Replacements
16.Dylan Richardson
17.Ntuthuko Mchunu
18.Hanro Jacobs
19.Jason Jenkins
20.Phepsi Buthelezi
21.Jaden Hendrikse
22.Siya Masuku
23.Francois Venter
The following players were not considered for selection due to injury:
– Ruan Dreyer
– Fez Mbatha
– Khwezi Mona
– Marnus Potgieter
– Abraham Reyneke
– Lukhanyo Am
– Gerbrandt Grobler
