URC: Sharks welcome back injured players for Cardiff clash

The Sharks welcome back a few players to balance those lost to injury as they turn their focus to the United Rugby Championship and their week 10 clash with Cardiff on Saturday.

Two of South Africa's most exciting talents get the opportunity to showcase their potential as a match-winning midfield partnership with head coach John Plumtree having paired Ethan Hooker and Jurenzo Julius as the starting inside and outside centres for this match.

Vincent Tshituka is back in action and captain's the team. A shortage of locks due to injury sees Tshituka starting in the second row instead of his customary loose-forward role. With the front row remaining intact, there is only one other change to the pack where Nick Hatton comes in for Siya Kolisi (who is on a mandatory Springbok rest period) at eighthman.

There are also welcome returns for wing Makazole Mapimpi and Jordan Hendrikse, the latter to start at fullback.

Having turned the focus back to the URC, hooker Bongi Mbonambi is positive about the preparations for Saturday's game and his team's prospects for this match.

"The weather has been a tad better in Cardiff than we experienced in Bordeaux, a few degrees warmer, although we're missing the sunny weather back at home in Durban," he explains.

"We've put the disappointment of the Bordeaux game behind us and we're now focussing on the URC, knowing that this week we have a tough task ahead of us, especially coming off a defeat to Bordeaux. We know we have a lot of work so that we can come back home with a win on tour.

"This is a big game against a quality side, we expect a tough clash against a side doing really well in the competition, but we look forward to making our fans proud on Saturday night."

Sharks - 15 Jordan Hendrikse, 14 Yaw Penxe, 13 Jurenzo Julius, 12 Ethan Hooker, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Siya Masuku, 9 Grant Williams, 8 Nick Hatton, 7 Emmanuel Tshituka, 6 Phepsi Buthelezi, 5 Jason Jenkins, 4 Vincent Tshituka (c), 3 Trevor Nyakane, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Ntuthuko Mchunu

Replacements: 16 Ethan Bester, 17 Ruan Dreyer, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 Deon Slabbert, 20 Jeandre "Lappies" Labuschagne, 21 Jaden Hendrikse, 22 Francois Venter, 23 Lukhanyo Am

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