Springbok-light Sharks pick new captain for Scottish URC challenge

The Sharks will be without Springboks Eben Etzebeth, Siya Kolisi, Jaden Hendrikse and Lukhanyo Am for their URC clash with Edinburgh on Saturday.

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Sharks boss NeilPowell has made five changes to his starting lineup, resting his Springbok contingent of Etzebeth, Kolisi, Hendrikse and Am. Vincent Tshituka is also absent this week.

The Springbok quartet and Tshituka are replaced by Hyron Andrews, the Venter duo of James and Henco, with two backline changes, Grant Williams and Francois Venter.

Phepsi Buthelezi will take over the Sharks captaincy.

Foreign import Ben Tapuai says Sharks have looked at the various permutations for their road to URC playoffs.

“At this stage of the season, we’ve addressed where we’re lying on the log and where we feel we should be sitting, but we have played two games less than some of the teams, and we know the games we have left we have to win and that starts this weekend where we’re looking to put in a good performance,” Tapuai explains.

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Despite the Edinburgh team missing players to the Scottish camp this weekend, the Australian international believes their opponents will be no less dangerous.

“We can’t read too much into that, they are a very strong, quality side that has been in this competition for a long time, while this is only our second year and we’re still learning the ropes.

“Whether they have their Scottish internationals or they don’t, we know it’s important for their campaign to try and finish as high as they can, the same for us.

“Coming off a disappointing loss against Harlequins last week, we’re just focusing on ourselves and trying to get everything sorted for this match.”

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SHARKS URC TEAM TO FACE EDINBURGH IN URC:

Sharks — 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Marnus Potgieter, 13 Francois Venter, 12 Ben Tapuai, 11 Thaakir Abrahams, 10 Curwin Bosch, 9 Grant Williams, 8 Phepsi Buthelezi (captain), 7 Henco Venter, 6 James Venter, 5 Gerbrandt Grobler, 4 Hyron Andrews, 3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Kerron van Vuuren, 1 Ox Nche.
Subs: 16 Dan Jooste, 17 Ntuthuko Mchunu, 18 Carlü Sadie, 19 Reniel Hugo, 20 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 21 Cameron Wright, 22 Lionel Cronje, 23 Yaw Penxe.