The Sharks have named a debutant in their starting lineup for the Vodacom United Rugby Championship opener against Munster in Limerick on Saturday.
The Vodacom United Rugby Championship leaps into action this weekend with the Sharks in round one action against Irish side Munster at their home ground Thomond Park on Saturday evening at 6.15pm (SA time).
In his first game back as Sharks head coach, John Plumtree has named an experienced lineup led by tour captain Francois Venter for the match against the defending champions.
MORE: Your URC team-by-team guide!
Veteran tighthead prop Coenie Oosthuizen will make his first Sharks start since 2019, having returned to Durban after a stint with Sale in the Premiership.
There is just one debutant in the lineup: former Cheetahs loose forward George Cronje, who starts at No 8. Cronje is joined in the back row by James Venter and Phepsi Buthelezi, who will be making his 50th Sharks appearance in an international competition.
Curwin Bosch will pull the strings for the Sharks at flyhalf, in a halfback combination with Cameron Wright, while Boeta Chamberlain is at fullback, with Aphelele Fassi on a bench featuring a five-three split between forwards and backs.
Sharks – 15 Boeta Chamberlain, 14 Werner Kok, 13 Murray Koster, 12 Francois Venter (c), 11 Marnus Potgieter, 10 Curwin Bosch, 9 Cameron Wright, 8 George Cronje, 7 Phepsi Buthelezi, 6 James Venter, 5 Reniel Hugo, 4 Emile van Heerden, 3 Coenie Oosthuizen, 2 Kerron van Vuuren, 1 Ntuthuko Mchunu.
Subs: 16 Dan Jooste, 17 Dian Bleuler, 18 Hanro Jacobs, 19 Vincent Tshituka, 20 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 21 Zee Mkhabela, 22 Rohan Janse van Rensburg, 23 Aphelele Fassi.
Photo: Steve Haag/Gallo Images