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Aphiwe Dyantyi gets first start after serving four year suspension
By Grant Constable
The Sharks and the Ospreys meet in a historic match at the Twickenham Stoop on Friday night, as it will be the first time a United Rugby Championship match has ever taken place in England.
It also takes on bigger significance for one player in particular, as former Springboks star Aphiwe Dyantyi gets his first start after a lengthy spell out of the limelight.
Already well documented, up and comer Dyantyi was suspended for four years from the game after testing positive for a banned substance in 2019, just ahead of the Rugby World Cup.
He's worked hard to make a return to professional rugby and was picked up by the Sharks earlier this year.
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Last week got a run from the bench against Leinster in Dublin but this season the 2018 World Rugby Breakthrough Player of the Year will be hoping to make the kind of impact he did for the Lions and then the Springboks early on in his career.
He comes in to replace Marnus Potgieter on the wing, as coach John Plumtree looks to build an attacking brand of rugby.
“The Sharks are a different looking team to what they have been in recent seasons," said Ospreys head coach, Toby Booth.
"They’re prepared to attack a lot more, from different areas of the pitch, whilst still bringing that physicality you expect from a South African side.
“They’ve had a tough start to their season, having to travel away to Munster and Leinster, but we’re under no illusions that they’ll be looking to bounce back in this one. We’re looking forward to what is set to be a big fixture in London.”
While Dyantyi may have missed out on two world cups since being banned, watching his former teammates lift the trophy back-to-back, the 29-year-old will no doubt be inspired to play well and get back in the mix as he begins the next phase of his once extremely promising career.
Sharks team:
1. Ntuthuko Mchunu
2. Dylan Richardson
3. Coenie Oosthuizen
4. Corne’ Rahl
5. Emile van Heerden
6. James Venter
7. Phepsi Buthelezi
8. Sikhumbuzo Notshe
9. Cameron Wright
10. Curwin Bosch
11. Aphiwe Dyantyi
12. Rohan Janse van Rensburg
13. Francois Venter (c)
14. Werner Kok
15. Aphelele Fassi
Replacements:
16. Kerron van Vuuren
17. Dian Bleuler
18. Hanro Jacobs
19. Hyron Andrews
20. George Cronje
21. Zee Mkhabela
22. Boeta Chamberlain
23. Murray Koster
Ospreys:
15. Jack Walsh
14. Luke Morgan
13. Keiran Williams
12. Owen Watkin
11. Toby Fricker
10. Owen Williams
9. Reuben Morgan-Williams
1. Garyn Phillips
2. Ethan Lewis
3. Tom Botha
4. Rhys Davies
5. James Fender
6. James Ratti
7. Harri Deaves
8. Morgan Morris (c)
Replacements:
16. Lewis Lloyd
17. Rhys Henry
18. Ben Warren
19. Lewis Jones
20. Morgan Morse
21. Luke Davies
22. Max Nagy
23. Luke Scully
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Latest Comments
Let's be clear: Foster did not back unaquivocally players such as Vaa'i, Tamaiti and Roigard. Yes, he selected them in the squad, but it's a stretch to say he backed them. Those three players have only been backed fully this year (and thrived) under the new regime. There was massive hesitation to give those three guys serious game time in games of consequence.
It's another not-so-subtle dig from the old dynasty at any achievements Razor may be credited for.
Roigard in particular was a mind-baffling omission from the finals of the WC. After being the AB's best player against SA in the pre-WC match, he was not sighted in the big games that followed. Roigard is the type of guy who can win a game with a moment of brilliance, yet the established but uninspiring Christie was preferred to close out a close WC final.
So please, Fozzie, spare us the barely veiled laments about your unfair treatment and unseen achievements. The fact you feel you have to point them out is telling in itself. And it shows that despite saying you've moved on, you and your mate Hansen most definitely haven't.
Go to commentsHe's just a wannabe troll, mate.
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