Sharks Rugby Lions Super Rugby Unlocked

Sanele Nohamba of the Sharks scores a try during the 2020 Super Rugby match against the Bulls at Kings Park Stadium in Durban on 31 January 2020 Photo: ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix

Sharks’ rotation sees Nohamba make first Super Rugby start in 2020

There are plenty of exciting players in the Sharks ranks this season, and Sanele Nohamba is right up there with Aphelele Fassi as a prospect. The Sharks have named their team to face struggling Aussie franchise, the Rebels in Melbourne with skipper Lukhanyo Am rested and regular starting scrumhalf Louis Schreuder benched. Nohamba gets a […]

Sharks Rugby Lions Super Rugby Unlocked

Sanele Nohamba of the Sharks scores a try during the 2020 Super Rugby match against the Bulls at Kings Park Stadium in Durban on 31 January 2020 Photo: ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix

There are plenty of exciting players in the Sharks ranks this season, and Sanele Nohamba is right up there with Aphelele Fassi as a prospect.

The Sharks have named their team to face struggling Aussie franchise, the Rebels in Melbourne with skipper Lukhanyo Am rested and regular starting scrumhalf Louis Schreuder benched.

Nohamba gets a shot

An exciting, nippy scrumhalf with an educated boot Nohamba was a junior Springbok and is also a useful goalkicking option for the Sharks if Curwin Bosch is indisposed. Nohamba also acquitted himself well playing as an emergency flyhalf in the defeat to the Hurricanes in round three.

Nohamba scored a fantastic try against the Bulls in week one that showed his pace and vision, and he will get an opportunity to impress from the outset against the Rebels.

The Sharks welcome back flyhalf Bosch as well as Springbok frontrankers Thomas du Toit and Ox Nche. Illness had forced du Toit out against the Hurricanes and led to Sharks coach Sean Everitt moving the versatile Nche to the bench to cover both sides of the front row.

Esterhuizen to skipper Sharks

Am’s centre partner Andre Esterhuizen will lead the side as Jeremy Ward assumes the World Cup-winning Springbok’s 13 jersey while Marius Louw and Lwazi Mvovo provide cover for the outside backs on the bench.

Everitt said his team weren’t going to use injuries, illness or disruptions as an excuse and they are determined to bounce back from defeat in Wellington when they face the Rebels in the first ever Super Rugby match in Ballarat.

“We never spoke after the game about the injuries or disruptions, the guys have all trained well throughout the pre-season and we’re not going to use that as an excuse,” said Everitt.

“But obviously it does have an effect on the team, especially when you have to get guys onto the bench who weren’t expecting to play.”

Rebels vs Sharks teams

Sharks: Aphelele Fassi, Madosh Tambwe, Jeremy Ward, Andre Esterhuizen (captain), Makazole Mapimpi, Curwin Bosch, Sanele Nohamba, Sikhumbuzo Notshe, Tyler Paul, James Venter, Hyron Andrews, Ruben van Heerden, Thomas du Toit, Kerron van Vuuren, Ox Nche. Replacements: Craig Burden, Mzamo Majola, John-Hubert Meyer, Le Roux Roets, Henco Venter, Louis Schreuder, Marius Louw, Lwazi Mvovo.

Rebels: Dane Haylett-Petty (captain), Andrew Kellaway, Campbell Magnay, Bill Meakes, Marika Koroibete, Andrew Deegan, Ryan Louwrens, Isi Naisarani, Richard Hardwick, Michael Wells, Matt Philip, Ross Haylett-Petty, Jermaine Ainsley, Steven Misa, Matt Gibbon. Replacements: Anaru Rangi, Cameron Orr, Ruan Smith, Gideon Koegelenberg, Angus Cottrell, Rob Leota, Frank Lomani, Tom English