There will be a big focus on the performance of the Sharks, and of course Siya Kolisi, as the Durban-based side host Irish side Munster in a crucial URC clash on Saturday at Kings Park.
Kick off is at 16:00.
Sharks: 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Eduan Keyter, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Jordan Hendrikse, 9 Grant Williams, 8 Siya Kolisi, 7 Vincent Tshituka, 6 James Venter, 5 Emile van Heerden, 4 Eben Etzebeth (captain), 3 Vincent Koch, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Ox Nche.
Replacements: 16 Fez Mbatha, 17 Ntuthuko Mchunu, 18 Ruan Dreyer, 19 Jason Jenkins, 20 Phepsi Buthelezi, 21 Jaden Hendrikse, 22 Siya Masuku, 23 Francois Venter.
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With Sharks coach John Plumtree naming a new-look loose trio, with Kolisi moving to the back of the scrum and James Venter and Vincent Tshituka slotting in on the flank, he explained his thinking for this URC encounter.
“I think he (Kolisi) is really looking forward to playing No.8 because it’s a position he played a lot in his earlier days for the Stormers and it’s a position I’m keen to see how he goes in.
“I don’t see it as a gamble, I see it more as an opportunity for him to run with the ball and we know he loves that. I reckon it will be good to see how he goes in that position.”
The clash between the Sharks and Munster could prove to be a humdinger given the fact that only one point separates the sides on the standings and with both teams having registered only two victories so far this season. However, the Durbanites do have a game in hand after the domestic teams’ round-one fixtures were postponed.
The Sharks showed encouraging form from the beginning of the season with a six-point defeat against Connacht away in their opening game before defeating the Dragons in Newport, and after a glitch against Benetton in their final tour game, they bounced back strongly to defeat the Glasgow Warriors.
The KwaZulu-Natalians will undoubtedly look to build on this against Munster, who currently find themselves in a dip after losing their last two matches against Leinster and the Stormers respectively.
Spicing up the clash, the teams are closely matched on attack and defence with Munster holding only a 21-point lead in terms of terms of points scored in their five matches to the Sharks’ four, while the Irish outfit have conceded seven points more, which will undoubtedly set the scene for a humdinger of a clash.
The two sides have met three times before in the URC, with Munster winning two to add to a 22-22 draw on their only previous visit to Durban in April 2023.
Date: Saturday, October 26
Venue: Kings Park, Durban
Kick-off: 16.00 (15.00 UK & Ireland time; 14.00 GMT)
Referee: Hollie Davidson (Scotland)
Assistant referees: AJ Jacobs (South Africa), Stephan Geldenhuys (South Africa)
TMO: Mike Adamson (Scotland)
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