Springbok scrumhalf Jaden Hendrikse will start at flyhalf to cover for the spate of injuries, while five players will make their debuts for the Hollywoodbets Sharks when they take on the Glasgow Warriors in Scotland on Friday night.
With injuries to Siya Masuku and Jordan Hendrikse, the Sharks have turned to the older Hendrikse brother to take over the unfamiliar position at 10 for the opening game of the Vodacom United Rugby Championship season.
The Sharks begin on the road, making their task tougher, and new recruits - Springbok winger Edwill van der Merwe, former Bulls prop Simphiwe Matanzima, Sevens star Christie Grobbelaar and scrumhalf Ross Braude will all make their debuts for the Sharks while another new recruit, former Springbok Marvin Orie is also getting his first URC start for his new side.
Coach John Plumtree believes the three match tour has a number of challenges and is hoping his team hits the ground running in Glasgow.
“I’m happy with the way we’ve prepared with some real challenges, we’re good to go,” he admitted on the eve of the match.
“The front row hasn’t played together, the same with the locks, the nine-ten combination too, so there are some challenges, but we have prepared well. We’ve put the players under pressure as much as we can based on what they’re going to be exposed to in Scotland.
“We’ve relied on other unions to help us out and hopefully we’ve done enough.
Vincent Tshituka, who became a Springbok this year, will lead the side.
“Vinny is the sort of guy who leads by example, he’s such a consistent rugby player: he’ll talk about it and then do it, those are the best leaders to play for. It’s a ‘follow-me’ mindset, certainly he does that.
“He also has some good support around him, with Phepsi Buthelezi there, his brother Manu, Marvin Orie, Ruan Dreyer upfront, and then Swys Venter and Lukhanyo Am in the back, all of whom have been around for a long time. So he has a good blend of leadership there.”
“He’s our lineout caller, although Deon Slabbert can also call, so they will help each other. His experience in pressure moments should help us a lot.
“I really want him to bring his own game, he’s got to prove himself to us. We know what he can do and has done, but ultimately he’s now playing for a new team and we’ll see what his work-rate is like and hopefully he’ll have a good game, not only from a leadership point of view.”
The match kicks off at 9:05pm on Friday night and will be live on SuperSport.
HOLLYWOODBETS SHARKS: Yaw Penxe; Edwill van der Merwe, Lukhanyo Am, Francois Venter, Christie Grobbelaar; Jaden Hendrikse, Ross Braude; Vincent Tshituka (captain), Emmanuel Tshituka, Phepsi Buthelezi, Marvin Orie, Deon Slabbert, Ruan Dreyer, Fez Mbatha, Simphiwe Matanzima.
Replacements: Eduan Swart, Dian Bleuler, Lee-Marvin Mazibuko, Bathobele Hlekani, Nick Hatton, Jean Smith, Jurenzo Julius, Hakeem Kunene
