Big guns return for Sharks first home URC clash

Etzebeth has been included in the starting XV for the clash in the second row alongside Hyron Andrews, however eyes will also be on abrasive loose forward Vincent Tshituka who also debuts for the Sharks after recovering from injury.

Siya Kolisi, Bongi Mbonambi, Ox Nche and Makazole Mapimpi will all start on the bench this weekend as part of coach Sean Everitt’s plan to merge the Springboks back into the squad.

“We used last week as an integration week for the Springboks, so they haven’t really had an opportunity to train with the team until this week,” Everitt said.

“We know that cohesion is important, and we know that making too many changes at once can disrupt things a little bit.

“It’s part of our plan to play some of them [Springboks] off the bench but at the same time it’s also to reward some of the players that have played exceptionally well while we were overseas.”

Etzebeth has been one of South Africa’s most consistent performers over the last decade and to have him in the Sharks engine room excites the coaches.

“Eben’s the best lock in the world so it’s great to have him in the side and that’s one of the reasons why we are starting him.

“We feel that we can improve our line-out and Eben can bring a lot to us there as well as with his ball carrying ability.

“He’s very excited to be part of the Sharks and he has settled in well and he’s made Durban his home and he’s extremely excited for tomorrow.”

Vincent Tshituka will also make his Sharks debut this weekend and he will add another dimension to the Sharks loose trio.

“He was the top loose forward in the URC last season and achieved a number of man of the match awards so we are excited to see what he can bring.

“With him and Eben in the pack it certainly is going to sure up our line-out.

“Glasgow have an extremely good line out and it is definitely a threat.”

Marnus Potgieter will start in the number 13 jersey for the Sharks after Rohan Janse van Rensberg was banned for four matches following a red card last weekend against Leinster.

Jaden Hendrikse starts at scrumhalf in place of Grant Williams while Phepsi Buthelezi returns to number eight with Sikhumbuzo Notshe shifting to the bench.

Anthony Volmink will start on the wing as Thaakir Abrahams is rested this week after a busy three week period.

Cell C Sharks

1. Ntuthuko Mchunu, 2. Kerron van Vuuren, 3. Thomas du Toit (c), 4. Eben Etzebeth, 5. Hyron Andrews, 6. Dylan Richardson, 7. Vincent Tshituka, 8. Phepsi Buthelezi, 9. Jaden Hendrikse, 10. Boeta Chamberlain, 11. Anthony Volmink, 12. Ben Tapuai, 13. Marnus Potgieter, 14. Werner Kok, 15. Aphelele Fassi

Replacements

16. Bongi Mbonambi, 17. Ox Nche, 18. Carlu Sadie, 19. Reniel Hugo, 20. Siya Kolisi, 21. Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 22. Cameron Wright, 23. Makazole Mapimpi