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Sharks and Sunwolves ring changes
By Online Editors
Sharks head coach Robert du Preez has made a number of changes to his matchday 23 for Saturday's clash against the Sunwolves.
Curwin Bosch gets a start at fullback with Lwazi Mvovo moving to the bench after two starts.
Makazole Mapimpi starts in the back three in the No 11 jersey with Sibusiso Nkosi shifting to No 14. Jacobus van Wyk drops out of the matchday 23.
Lubabalo Mtembu replaces Keegan Daniel at Number 8 with the latter dropping down to the bench. Jacques Vermeulen shifts from blindside to openside flanker with Wian Vosloo set to make his Super Rugby debut in the No 6 jersey.
There are also two changes in the front row with John-Hubert Meyer coming in for Thomas du Toit. At hooker, the Sharks have not made a decision on who will start. Armand van der Merwe and Mahlatse Ralepelle have been bracketed in the starting XV and on the bench.
With 138 appearances for the Sharks, Tendai Mtawarira, becomes the most capped Sharks Super Rugby player of all time, surpassing the record previously held by Jon-Paul Pietersen.
Gideon Koegelenberg could make his Super Rugby debut if he gets off the bench.
For the Sunwolves, head coach Jamie Joseph has made wholesale changes to his matchday 23.
Only four players hold onto their places in the starting XV from the team that lost to the Melbourne Rebels last weekend.
Willie Britz takes over the captaincy and moves from lock to No.8 for Saturday's clash.
The Sunwolves are also missing a number of players due to injury.
Sam Wykes, Timothy Lafaele and Akihito Yamada are all out with concussion.
Shota Horie and Hayden Parker are missing due to hamstring injuries, while Asaeli Valu has lower back pain.
SHARKS
15. Curwin Bosch, 14. Sibusiso Nkosi, 13. Lukhanyo Am, 12. Andre Esterhuizen, 11.Makazole Mapimpi, 10. Robert du Preez, 9. Louis Schreuder, 8. Lubabalo Mtembu, 7. Jacques Vermeulen, 6. Wian Vosloo, 5. Stephan Lewies, 4. Ruan Botha (C), 3. John-Hubert Meyer, 2. Armand van der Merwe/Mahlatse Ralepelle, 1. Tendai Mtawarira.
Replacements: 16. Armand van der Merwe/Mahlatse Ralepelle, 17. Juan Schoeman, 18. Ross Geldenhuys, 19. Gideon Koegelenberg, 20. Keegan Daniel, 21. Cameron Wright, 22. Marius Louw, 23. Lwazi Mvovo.
SUNWOLVES
15. Kotaro Matsushima, 14. Lomano Lemeki, 13. Sione Teaupa, 12. Michael Little, 11. William Tupou, 10. Harumichi Tatekawa, 9. Keisuke Uchida, 8. Willem Britz (C), 7. Yoshitaka Tokunaga, 6. Michael Leitch, 5. Grant Hattingh, 4. Kazuki Himeno, 3. Takuma Asahara, 2. Yusuke Niwai, 1. Craig Millar.
Replacements: 16. Atsushi Sakate, 17. Shintaro Ishihara, 18. Hencus van Wyk, 19. Wimpie van der Walt, 20. Pieter Labuschagne, 21. Yutaka Nagare, 22. Ryoto Nakamura, 23. Robbie Robinson.
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Latest Comments
Don't think you've watched enough. I'll take him over anything I's seen so far. But let's see how the future pans out. I'm quietly confident we have a row of 10's lined uo who would each start in many really good teams.
Go to commentsHopefully Joe stays where he is. That would mean Les, McKellar, larkham and Cron should as well. It’s the stability we need in the state programs. But, if Joe goes, RA with its current financial situation will be forced into promoting from within. And this will likely destabilise other areas.
To better understand some of the entrenched bitterness of those outside of NZ and NSW (as an example 😂), Nic, there is probably a comparison to the old hard heads of welsh rugby who are still stuck in the 1970s. Before the days where clubs merged, professionalism started, and the many sharp knives were put into the backs of those who loved the game more than everyone else. I’m sure you know a few... But given your comparison of rugby in both wales and Australia, there are a few north of the tweed that will never trust a kiwi or NSWelshman because of historical events and issues over the history of the game. It is what it is. For some, time does not heal all wounds. And it is still festering away in some people. Happy holidays to you. All the best in 2025.
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