Kolisi to leads Sharks in URC semifinal against Bulls
Siya Kolisi was named as captain in the absence of regular skipper, Eben Etzebeth, who was injured in training during the week.
The Sharks' Siya Kolisi. Picture: Vodacom United Rugby Championship - URC/Facebook
JOHANNESBURG - Siya Kolisi will lead the Sharks in their United Rugby Championship (URC) semifinal against the Bulls at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.
Kolisi was named as captain in the absence of regular skipper, Eben Etzebeth, who was injured in training during the week. The side is brimming with experience and quality as 13 of the Sharks' matchday 23 have been called up to Rassie Erasmus' squad for the Test matches in July.
Sharks head coach, John Plumtree, has made two changes to his starting team to face the Pretoria franchise as Corne Rahl replaces Etzebeth and another lock, Emile van Heerden, comes in for Jason Jenkins, who was injured in last week’s quarterfinal against Munster in Durban. There are two more changes on the bench where lock Deon Slabbert takes Van Heerdan's place amongst the substitutes and Jurenzo Julius comes in for Francois Venter.
The Durbanites will be appearing in the URC semifinals for the first time and head into the encounter with quite a bit of confidence. They’ve beaten the Bulls twice already this season, winning 20-17 at Kings Park in December and 29-19 at Loftus in February. However, they haven’t had the most convincing performances since, including a shootout victory after their quarterfinal against Munster ended with the score level at 24-24.
Kolisi is aware that they need to improve if they are to stay in contention for the title.
"We want to play better, there are many things we want to do better on the field, but there were a lot of good things we did against Munster. We’ve also played better this season with a full team and everyone available, but with injuries, the dynamics change," said Kolisi.
"The most important thing is finding a way to win when things aren’t going well. I’ve been in a team where we played amazing rugby, and we still lost. You can have that, or you can have what we’re going through. But the ultimate goal is to play the kind of rugby we know we’re capable of playing," said Kolisi.
Saturday’s semifinal against the Bulls at Loftus kicks off at 6.15pm, with Leinster hosting Glasgow in the earlier semifinal at 3.45pm.
Sharks team to play the Bulls:
15. Aphelele Fassi
14. Ethan Hooker
13. Lukhanyo Am
12. Andre Esterhuizen
11. Makazole Mapimpi
10. Jordan Hendrikse
9. Jaden Hendrikse
8. Siya Kolisi (C)
7. Vincent Tshituka
6. James Venter
5. Emile van Heerden
4. Corne Rahl
3. Vincent Koch
2. Bongi Mbonambi
1. Ox Nche
Replacements
16. Fez Mbatha
17. Ntuthuko Mchunu
18. Hanro Jacobs
19. Deon Slabbert
20. Phepsi Buthelezi
21. Bradley Davids
22. Jurenzo Julius
23. Yaw Penxe