By Brenden Nel.
Springbok lock Eben Etzebeth has returned to the Hollywoodbets Sharks side ahead of their Vodacom United Rugby Championship match against the Emirates Lions on Saturday.
Etzebeth, who was forced to miss the derby game against the DHL Stormers last week with a stomach complaint, has been selected at lock as one of five changes to the side that faced the Stormers.
The boost for the side to have a player of Etzebeth’s quality back will be major for John Plumtree’s side and most of the other changes are also in the tight five. Gerbrandt Grobler takes over from Emile van Heerden to partner Etzebeth while in the front row Hanro Jacobs comes in for Coenie Oosthuizen and Fez Mbatha has been selected at hooker in the place of Kerron van Vuuren, who shifts to the bench.
The only other change is at halfback where the Springbok duo of Grant Williams and Jaden Hendrikse swop roles, with Williams starting and Hendrikse on the bench.
Earlier this week Williams warned that the Lions should not be taken lightly.
“The Lions are a physical outfit that like to move the ball around as well, they have a heavy pack so we can expect a physical battle.
“The thing for us it to get into our stride and give our fans a performance they deserve. But our squad is in a positive place and we’re building as a unit.
“Over the last few weeks we’ve moved forward, we’re much stronger now.”
The match will kick off at 5pm.
Hollywoodbets Sharks: Aphelele Fassi; Werner Kok, Lukhanyo Am (captain), Francois Venter, Makazole Mapimpi; Curwin Bosch, Grant Williams; Phepsi Buthelezi, Lappies Labuschagne, James Venter, Gerbrandt Grobler, Eben Etzebeth, Hanro Jacobs, Fez Mbatha, Ox Nche.
Replacements: Kerron van Vuuren, Ntuthuko Mchunu, Joel Hintz, Corne Rahl, George Cronje, Jaden Hendrikse, Boeta Chamberlain, Rohan Janse van Rensburg.
Players not available for selection due to injury:
• Bongi Mbonambi
• Dylan Richardson
• Nevaldo Fleurs
• Reniel Hugo
• Vincent Koch
• Vincent Tshituka.