Sharks hit by withdrawl double whammy on eve of All Blacks clash

The Sharks have lost Springbok Vincent Tshituka and second-row Emile van Heerden from their squad for Tuesday’s Greatest Rivalry clash with the All Blacks at Hollywoodbets Kings Park.

The two-cap Tshituka, who made his debut for the world champions against Italy last year, has been ruled out after suffering a reported head injury in training.

Van Heerden has also been withdrawn after picking up an injury.  The 6’7, 110kg 26-year-old was set to line up against the All Blacks but now Deon Slabbert has been promoted into the starting XV to partner Hendre Stassen.

Slabbert joined the newly branded Sharks Rugby Club from the Pumas earlier this year and will now get the chance to test himself against New Zealand, with Corne Rahl coming into the replacements to cover for Tshituka.

The match will be the All Blacks’ second match of the series, following a tense 38-21 victory over the DHL Stormers on Friday in Cape Town.

Sharks Rugby Club XV: 15 Zekhethelo Siyaya, 14 Donovan Don, 13 Jurenzo Julius, 12 Murray Koster, 11 Litelihle Bester, 10 Vusi Moyo, 9 Bradley Davids, 8 Nick Hatton (captain), 7 Manu Tshituka, 6 Phepsi Buthelezi, 5 Deon Slabbert, 4 Hendre Stassen, 3 Vincent Koch, 2 Eduan Swart, 1 Nemo Roelofse

Replacements: 16 Liam van Wyk, 17 Rambo Kubekha, 18 Simphiwe Ngobese, 19 Corne Rahl, 20 Matt Romao, 21 Ivan van Zyl, 22 Luan Giliomee, 23 Ma’a Nonu

All Blacks XV: 15. Damian McKenzie, 14. Fehi Fineanganofo, 13. Quinn Tupaea, 12. Jordie Barrett, 11. Caleb Clarke, 10. Ruben Love, 9. Kyle Preston; 1. Ethan de Groot, 2. Asafo Aumua, 3. Fletcher Newell, 4. Josh Lord, 5. Sam Darry, 6. Tupou Vaa’i, 7. Luke Jacobson, 8. Wallace Sititi

Replacements: 16. Bradley Slater, 17. Ollie Norris, 18. Pasilio Tosi, 19. Ethan Blackadder, 20. Semisi Ta’eiloa, 21. Cam Roigard, 22. Timoci Tavatavanawai, 23. Emoni Narawa