Springbok front-rower Ntuthuko Mchunu has agreed to a contract extension with the Durban-based Sharks for the next two years. Photo: @Springboks website
Ox out injured as Sharks make rotational changes for Zebre visit
Ntuthuko Mchunu will start in the Sharks’ front row as they get set to face Zebre in the United Rugby Championship.
Springbok front-rower Ntuthuko Mchunu has agreed to a contract extension with the Durban-based Sharks for the next two years. Photo: @Springboks website
The Sharks team for Saturday’s United Rugby Championship clash in Durban shows a number of changes from the side that beat Scarlets last week, with injured Springbok prop Ox Nché replaced by Ntuthuko Mchunu in the front row.
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The clash at Hollywoodbets Kings Park is scheduled to kick off at 18:30 and will be broadcast live on SuperSport.
Apart from the inclusion of Mchunu in the run-on side, Sharks head coach Sean Everitt has also made two more changes to the backline, with Ben Tapuai named at outside centre in place of Jeremy Ward, and Grant Williams replacing Jaden Hendrikse at scrumhalf.
Ward and Hendrikse will start the match on the bench, where they will be joined by Boeta Chamberlain (flyhalf) and Khwezi Mona (prop). The rest of the side that won last Friday remain unchanged.
Although their opponents this weekend are winless after 10 straight losses in the URC, Everitt has warned his players not to underestimate the Italians.
“In this competition, no-one can be taken lightly – we saw that when the Scarlets put 35 points over Glasgow, who are in the top four of the competition,” said Everitt.
“Zebre are an unpredictable side that kick the ball really well, and although they haven’t done that well on the log, they gave the Bulls a good go for the first 40 minutes before the Bulls’ power game dominated them.
“But our focus is on our own performance at the moment, taking it week by week and we know that we need to get better and put in a better performance as a whole for 80 minutes.”
Sharks team
15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Werner Kok, 13 Ben Tapuai, 12 Marius Louw, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Curwin Bosch, 9 Grant Williams, 8 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 7 Henco Venter, 6 Siya Kolisi (captain), 5 Reniel Hugo, 4 Gerbrandt Grobler, 3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Ntuthuko Mchunu. Replacements: 16 Kerron van Vuuren, 17 Khwezi Mona, 18 Khutha Mchunu, 19 Le Roux Roets, 20 Phepsi Buthelezi, 21 Jaden Hendrikse, 22 Boeta Chamberlain, 23 Jeremy Ward.
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