Eben Etzebeth changes role for Sharks' Bok-laden clash with Stormers

Eben Etzebeth has been promoted from the bench to start for the Sharks in Saturday’s United Rugby Championship derby against the Stormers.

The Springbok lock is one of three internationals elevated into JP Pietersen’s starting XV after last weekend’s 26-20 win over Leinster, with Ox Nche and Ethan Hooker also moving up from the replacements.

Nche starts at loosehead, which sees Thomas du Toit switch from No.1 to tighthead. Hooker comes onto the left wing, while Etzebeth partners Darrien Landsberg in the second-row for the league leaders’ first away game of the campaign.

There are further changes in the pack, with Matt Romao starting at blindside and Phepsi Buthelezi moving to No.8. Zekhethelo Siyaya is handed the No.15 jersey, while Gianni Lombard is set to make his Sharks debut from the bench.

The Sharks travel south after opening their season with back-to-back home victories, but scrum coach Philip Lemmer expects the set-piece battle to be a major factor against a Stormers side containing several Springbok faces.

Fixture

United Rugby Championship

Stormers

07:00

10 Oct 26

Sharks

All Stats and Data

“It’s definitely going to be a massive battle this week, it’s like two big brothers taking each other on at scrum time because they all know one other really well, having scrummed together at the Boks and against each other as well.

“It’s a big contest and a big point of focus to see who can dominate at scrum time.”

Sharks XV: 15 Zekhethelo Siyaya, 14 Edwill van der Merwe, 13 Jurenzo Julius, 12 Andre Esterhuizen (captain), 11 Ethan Hooker; 10 Vusi Moyo, 9 Jaden Hendrikse; 1 Ox Nche, 2 Eduan Swart, 3 Thomas du Toit, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 5 Darrien Landsberg, 6 Matt Romao, 7 Manu Tshituka, 8 Phepsi Buthelezi.
Replacements: 16 Esethu Mnebelele, 17 Cameron Dawson, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 Jason Jenkins, 20 Stephan Lewies, 21 Nick Hatton, 22 Ivan van Zyl, 23 Gianni Lombard.