Andre The Giant to lead Sharks from the front in URC clash with Stormers

The Sharks have brought back three Springbok heavyweights for their trip to the Stormers in Cape Town on Saturday, where they have not won in five attempts in the United Rugby Championship.

Andre “The Giant” Esterhuizen is back at inside centre from national resting protocols and resumes the captaincy, and his midfield partner, Ethan Hooker, returns alongside him.

Springbok flank Siya Kolisi is also back from a break and will play off the bench, while Ox Nche is given a rest from starting this week.

Other changes to the side see a rotational switch on both sides of the front row, Phatu Ganyane and Vincent Koch in for Nche and Hanro Jacobs, while Corne Rahl makes way for Emile van Heerden, and in the final change to the pack, Phepsi Buthelezi starts ahead of Matt Romao at loose-forward.

The backline also sees fresh legs, with Jaco Williams coming in on the left wing. Jurenzo Julius will cover Esterhuizen and Hooker.

“Playing the Stormers, who are top of the log, will be tough — we know what they’re going to bring, but our win over Clermont has given us confidence and belief that our game model works,” said coach JP Pietersen.

“But we must also be realistic, we need to analyse ourselves and see how we can get better because the Stormers are going to be a difficult opponent.”

Sharks team for Stormers

15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Yaw Penxe/PK Sobahle, 13 Ethan Hooker, 12 Andre Esterhuizen (capt), 11 Jaco Williams, 10 Jordan Hendrikse, 9 Jaden Hendrikse, 8 Nick Hatton, 7 Manu Tshituka, 6 Phepsi Buthelezi, 5 Emile van Heerden, 4 Jason Jenkins, 3 Vincent Koch, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Phatu Ganyane.

Bench: 16 Eduan Swart, 17 Ox Nche, 18 Hanro Jacobs, 19 Vincent Tshituka, 20 Siya Kolisi, 21 Grant Williams, 22 Siya Masuku, 23 Jurenzo Julius.