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What Tony Johnson is hearing about the vacant All Blacks assistant role
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Sharks roll out another 13 Springboks as they search for first win
By Josh Raisey
The Sharks have responded to losing South Africa winger Makazole Mapimpi to a five-week ban by calling up fellow Springbok Jordan Hendrikse when they host the Scarlets on Saturday in the United Rugby Championship.
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Hendrikse is one of three changes made by head coach John Plumtree from the side that tamely fell to Ulster last week at home, as they search for their first win of the season.
Edwill van der Merwe will shift to the left wing, having started at full-back last week, with Hendrikse, who was on the bench against Ulster, taking the No.15 jersey.
The other change in the backline will see Lukhanyo Am start at outside centre, with Jurenzo Julius swapping to start on the bench this week.
Another similar switch has been made at No.8 this week, with Emmanuel Tshituka starting instead of Phepsi Buthelezi, who is due to make his 100th appearance for the Sharks in international competition from the bench. Alongside fly-half Siya Masuku, the No.8 is one of two players in the starting XV that hasn’t been capped by South Africa.
There have been multiple changes to the substitutes, however, with Cameron Dawson replacing Simphiwe Matanzima, Lee-Marvin Mazibuko replacing Ruan Dreyer, JJ Scheepers replacing Bathobele Hlekani and Jean Smith taking the place Hendrikse held last week.
After captaining the side last week, Vincent Tshituka has seen that captaincy handed to Eben Etzebeth for this encounter.
Speaking ahead of the match, centre Andre Esterhuizen said: “We didn’t perform like we wanted to, I don’t think we were cohesive enough and made too many individual errors.
“But the boys have responded well, we took a hard look at ourselves and it’s all about the next game against the Scarlets. We’re all looking forward to it before the break, it’s an opportunity for us to rectify things.
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“For everyone to get on the same page so we can play to the level we know we’re capable of. It’s no use having a superstar team if we don’t play like one – together. Everything revolves around team and we must stick together, whether it goes well or goes bad.
“For us, playing at home is always special, last year we won almost every home game and it’s still a priority to keep our fans entertained and give them a good show.
“We love playing at home, for the fans.”
Sharks XV
15 Jordan Hendrikse
14 Ethan Hooker
13 Lukhanyo Am
12 Andre Esterhuizen
11 Edwill van der Merwe
10 Siya Masuku
9 Grant Williams
1 Ox Nche
2 Bongi Mbonambi
3 Vincent Koch
4 Eben Etzebeth (c)
5 Marvin Orie
6 Siya Kolisi
7 Vincent Tshituka
8 Emmanuel Tshituka
Replacements
16 Fez Mbatha
17 Cameron Dawson
18 Lee-Marvin Mazibuko
19 JJ Scheepers
20 Phepsi Buthelezi
21 Jaden Hendrikse
22 Jean Smith
23 Jurenzo Julius
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