Springbok fullback Aphelele Fassi returns to action after a lengthy injury break in the full-strength Hollywoodbets Sharks team that has been selected to face Saracens in an Investec Champions Cup clash in Durban on Saturday.
As anticipated, Andre Esterhuizen leads the team against the renowned English club on the occasion of his landmark 100th game for the franchise. Given the commitment and passion he shows to the jersey in every match he plays for the Durban franchise, he will be a leader that the rest of the team will do well to follow.
New coach JP Pietersen, who will be in charge for the first time as he takes over from John Plumtree at Hollywoodbets Kings Park, says that the decision to appoint Esterhuizen as his captain had nothing to do with this being a celebratory game for him and everything to do with his passion for the jersey and long history at the Sharks.
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“Giving him the captaincy has nothing to do with this being Andre’s 100th game for the Sharks. We have a good understanding and we played together,” said Pietersen.
“Andre is an old Sharks guy, he has played for the team for a long time, and he knows what being a Sharks player is about and what it means to play for the Sharks and to wear the jersey. Siya (Kolisi) is the national captain, but he has a lot of stuff on his plate so it is better to relieve some of the pressure on him.
“But Andre will get a lot of help from Siya and they will work in combination with each other. They will lead as a group,” he added.
Pietersen added that his immediate goal was to get the Sharks to do something they’ve failed mostly to do this season, and arguably for a long time before this - produce a complete performance.
“My immediate goal, and not just for the Saracens game, is for the guys to produce a complete performance over 80 minutes. If we do that, then we can bring some respect back and make the people of Durban happy,” said the former Bok wing.
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Pietersen arguably has a team that is better equipped than previous Sharks selections this season to give him what he wishes for.
Of course, as we already knew, the Sharks will be without the injured Ox Nche as well as the suspended Eben Etzebeth, which does leave a big hole in their pack. However, it is otherwise the strongest team the Sharks can assemble as they celebrate not only the Esterhuizen 100th but also the first game in charge for the new interim coach.
The return of Fassi to the last line of defence is a particular welcome boost for the Sharks, who have underperformed this season and are languishing on the Vodacom URC log as well as in desperate need to win their first home Champions Cup fixture if they want to retain an interest in this year’s competition heading into the next round of fixtures in January.
Surprisingly, they have continued with Griquas loanee George Whitehead ahead of Jordan Hendrikse, who has worn the Springbok No 10 jersey, at pivot for this game. Otherwise it is a backline loaded with Boks.
Grant Williams starts at scrumhalf, Esterhuizen is partnered by the other Bok who has played his heart out for the Sharks so far this season, Ethan Hooker, while Fassi is joined in the back three by a pair of Bok wings in Edwill van der Merwe and Makazole Mapimpi.
Rugby in Durban in December tends to be marred by humidity, which turns it into a wet-weather game, but if the Sharks pack can provide the backs with go-forward ball to run with and the ball isn’t too slippery, they do have the personnel at the back that can trouble the best defensive systems.
Jason Jenkins now looks well over the injury problems that kept him from playing much of a part in the earlier games and that partially offsets the loss of Etzebeth, who will be out until the last weekend of March due to the suspension he copped for the eye-gouging incident towards the end of the test against Wales in Cardiff a fortnight ago.
Jenkins is joined by a fit-again Emile van Heerden, and with Springbok Marvin Orie, who has won the URC with the Stormers, backing up on the bench, Pietersen has nothing to complain about when it comes to second row cover.
Both Hendrickse brothers are on the bench. In fact, they are the only backs as Pietersen has gone for a six/two split between forwards and backs.
Hollywoodbets Sharks team: Aphelele Fassi, Edwill van der Merwe, Ethan Hooker, Andre Esterhuizen (captain), Makazole Mapimpi, George Whitehead, Grant Williams, Phepsi Buthelezi, Vincent Tshituka, Siya Kolisi, Emile van Heerden, Jason Jenkins, Hanro Jacobs, Bongi Mbonambi, Phatu Ganyane. Replacements: Eduan Swart, Lee-Marvin Mazibuko, Mawande Madanda, Marvin Orie, Matt Romao, Nick Hatton, Jaden Hendrickse, Jordan Hendrickse.