Springbok veteran Eben Etzebeth will tackle the Stormers for the first time since leaving Cape Town when he starts for the Sharks in Saturday’s coastal derby.
Etzebeth will don the Sharks’ No 4 jersey in Saturday night’s clash at Cape Town Stadium as John Plumtree has retained most of the team that faced the Vodacom Bulls in Pretoria.
The two-time World Cup winner started his career at the Stormers, before leaving for French giants Toulon in 2019. He missed out on the opportunity to face his former side last season, due to injury and international duty.
Plumtree has made just three changes to his starting lineup from the Sharks’ last outing in the Challenge Cup against the Cheetahs.
Two of those are in the pack, as Emile van Heerden returns to partner Etzebeth in the second row, while Jeandre “Lappies” Labuschagne comes in at flank, meaning a shift to eighthman for Phepsi Buthelezi in place of Sikhumbuzo Notshe.
The only change to the backline sees Jaden Hendrikse getting a start with Grant Williams playing off the bench.
There is a potential debut for the Sharks in New Zealand prop Joel Hintz, who has been named on the bench. The 27-year-old was brought over to Durban as front row cover from 2020 National Provincial Championship title-holders Hawke’s Bay.
Sharks – 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Werner Kok, 13 Lukhanyo Am (c), 12 Francois Venter, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Curwin Bosch, 9 Jaden Hendrikse, 8 Phepsi Buthelezi, 7 Jeandre Labuschagne, 6 James Venter, 5 Emile van Heerden, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Coenie Oosthuizen, 2 Kerron van Vuuren, 1 Ox Nche.
Subs: 16 Dan Jooste, 17 Ntuthuko Mchunu, 18 Joel Hintz, 19 Corne Rahl, 20 George Cronje, 21 Grant Williams, 22 Boeta Chamberlain, 23 Ethan Hooker.
Photo: Steve Haag/Gallo Images