Nkosi returns, Penxe on the bench

Springbok wing Sbu Nkosi will make his return from injury when the Sharks clash with the Vodacom Bulls in Pretoria on Saturday.

Nkosi has recovered from an injury which kept him out of the Super Fan Saturday match against the Bulls and the Sharks’ opening Super Rugby Unlocked win over the Lions in round one.

The World Cup winner replaces veteran JP Pietersen in the only change to the starting lineup from that victory over the Lions in Durban.

The Sharks have also been boosted by the return to fitness of hooker Kerron van Vuuren and loose forward Henco Venter, both of whom start on the bench and could play their first matches since March.

Meanwhile, Yaw Penxe, who joined the Sharks from the Kings two weeks ago, could be set to make his first debut for the side as a substitute. The 23-year-old who hails from Queenstown in the Eastern Cape came to prominence for the Southern Kings before starring in the Springbok Green team’s 25-9 victory over the Gold team early in October and has come to Durban on loan.

Sharks – 15 Manie Libbok, 14 Sbu Nkosi, 13 Lukhanyo Am (c), 12 Marius Louw, 11 Werner Kok, 10 Curwin Bosch, 9 Sanele Nohamba, 8 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 7 Phendulani Buthelezi, 6 James Venter, 5 Hyron Andrews, 4 Ruben van Heerden, 3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Dylan Richardson, 1 Ox Nche.
Subs: 16 Kerron van Vuuren, 17 Mzamo Majola, 18 John-Hubert Meyer, 19 JJ van der Mescht, 20 Henco Venter, 21 Grant Williams, 22 Jeremy Ward, 23 Yaw Penxe.

Photo: Gavin Barker/BackpagePix