Sharks make 3 changes for URC clash against Benetton
The Sharks have made three changes to their starting lineup for their United Rugby Championship (URC) match with Benetton in Treviso on Saturday.
The Sharks beat the Dragons 33-30 in their URC match on 5 October 2024. Picture: @SharksRugby/X
JOHANNESBURG - The Sharks have made three changes to their starting lineup for their United Rugby Championship (URC) match with Benetton in Treviso on Saturday.
The matchday 23 has a familiar look about it as the team's coaching staff opted for continuity to help build on the momentum gathered in the last five weeks where they eliminated the Bulls in Pretoria in the Currie Cup semifinals and beat the Lions in the final in Johannesburg a week later.
Sharks attack coach, Dave Williams, thinks making minimal changes will also develop the chemistry between the players.
"Those connections are massive, and the benefit of that away semi-final and away final [in the Currie Cup] was getting time together and now the third game on the road in the URC, so we’ve spent a lot of time together building those connections, both on and off the field," Williams said.
Hooker Fez Mbatha, who scored a last-ditch try as the Durban franchise beat Dragons 33-30 last weekend, has been promoted from the bench where he’ll start alongside double World Cup winner, Trevor Nyakane. The pair replaces Dylan Richardson and Ntuthuko Mchunu respectively, while at the back of the scrum, Phepsi Buthelezi starts ahead of Emmanuel Tshituka.
The backline remains unchanged and Williams is anticipating a more settled and composed performance from the team.
"It’s going to be a great challenge for us, one we're looking forward to. It's going to be a great contest amongst the forwards and the two backlines, but it's all about turning pressure moments into points."
The Sharks have become rather famous for their determination to stay in the contest until the very end following their recent last-minute wins. Coming out on top in those tense games has shown the fight and character in the team, which Williams acknowledges is an important component in their successful run.
"Those late comebacks are something we pride ourselves on, showing strength in staying in the fight, we have pressure moments that we're able to deliver in those final moments," he said.
Benetton vs The Sharks kicks off at 4pm on Saturday.
Sharks team to play Benetton:
15 Jordan Hendrikse, 14 Eduan Keyter, 13 Jurenzo Julius, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Ethan Hooker, 10 Siya Masuku, 9 Jaden Hendrikse, 8 Phepsi Buthelezi, 7 Vincent Tshituka (Captain), 6 James Venter, 5 Gerbrandt Grobler, 4 Jason Jenkins, 3 Ruan Dreyer, 2 Fez Mbatha, 1 Trevor Nyakane
Replacements
16 Dylan Richardson, 17 Ntuthuko Mchunu, 18 Hanro Jacobs, 19 Corne’ Rahl, 20 Emmanuel Tshituka, 21 Bradley Davids, 22 Lionel Cronje, 23 Francois Venter