André the Giant to skipper Sharks against Saracens, Aphelele Fassi back from injury
CHAMPIONS CUP
Sharks centre André Esterhuizen will lead the coastal side in his 100th international match for the franchise against Saracens in Durban on Saturday.
Image: BackpagePix
Andre “The Giant” Esterhuizen has been entrusted with the captaincy for the Sharks’ crunch Champions Cup clash with Saracens at Kings Park Saturday (5.15pm kick-off).
The burly centre is celebrating his 100th match for the Durban team and is teaming up in an exciting midfield with emerging star Ethan Hooker, who will be in the No 13 jersey.
Hooker has been utilised on the wing by the Sharks thus far in his career, but centre is his preferred position. He was a sensational midfielder for Westville Boys’ High and had a run at centre on the Springboks’ year-end tour.
The big news for Sharks fans is the return of fullback Aphelee Fassi after months on the sidelines nursing an ankle injury. Fassi forms a lively back three with wings Edwill van der Merwe and Makazole Mapimpi.
New head coach JP Pietersen has made an interesting choice at flyhalf — he is backing veteran Griqua George Whitehead ahead of Jordan Hendrikse, who is on the bench, as is his brother, scrumhalf Jaden.
The Hendrikse brothers are the only backs in Pietersen’s 6-2 bench split.
In the pack, stalwart Springboks Siya Kolisi and Bongi Mbonambi return, while former Bok lock Jason Jenkins is in the second row with Emile van Heerden, who makes a welcome return from injury. Another former Bok, Marvin Orie, provides second-row cover on the bench.
Kolisi is in a solid back row with Vincent Tshituka and Phepsi Buthelezi.
The bench is packed with exciting youngsters who impressed in the loss to Toulouse, including last week’s captain, Nick Hatton.
Sharks team for Saracens
15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Edwill van der Merwe, 13 Ethan Hooker, 12 Andre Esterhuizen (c), 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 George Whitehead, 9 Grant Williams, 8 Phepsi Buthelezi, 7 Vincent Tshituka, 6 Siya Kolisi, 5 Emile van Heerden, 4 Jason Jenkins, 3 Hanro Jacobs, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Phatu Ganyane.
Replacements: 16 Eduan Swart, 17 Lee-Marvin Mazibuko, 18 Mawande Mdanda, 19 Marvin Orie, 20 Matt Romao, 21 Nick Hatton, 22 Jaden Hendrikse, 23 Jordan Hendrikse.