The Sharks have been bolstered by Springboks duo Ox Nche and Aphelele Fassi\u2019s return to action for their eagerly anticipated derby with the Lions in Durban on Saturday.<\/b><\/p>\n
Nche makes his long-awaited comeback after sustaining a leg injury while on duty for South Africa during their victory over Japan in an Autumn Nations Series Test in London last month.<\/p>\n
The 30-year-old loosehead prop comes into the Sharks<\/a>\u2018 run-on side at the expense of Phatu Ganyane, who is relegated to the replacements bench, and is joined in the Sharks front-row by Springboks<\/a> hooker Bongi Mbonambi and tighthead Hanro Jacobs.<\/p>\n Three changes after Bulls victory<\/p>\n Sharks head coach JP Pietersen has made just three changes to his starting line-up, which beat the Bulls in their previous match, with Manu Tshituka coming in for Phepsi Buthelezi at number eight and Fassi taking over from Hakeem Kunene at full-back as the other alterations.<\/p>\n Fassi makes his return to action after overcoming concussion protocols, which he sustained in the Sharks\u2019 Investec Champions Cup clash against Saracens earlier this month.<\/p>\n The rest of the Sharks\u2019 forwards sees Jason Jenkins and Emile van Heerden combining in the second row while Springboks skipper Siya Kolisi and Vincent Tshituka are the starting flankers.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, Andre Esterhuizen will captain the side from inside centre and Ethan Hooker joins him in midfield while Jordan Hendrikse and Grant Williams are the starting half-backs.<\/p>\n The side is completed by Makazole Mapimpi and Edwill van der Merwe, who are the starting wingers and along with Fassi they will form an all-Springbok back three.<\/p>\n Apart from Nche<\/a> and Fassi<\/a>, Corne Rahl and Siya Masuku also make welcome returns to the matchday 23, both named on the replacements bench, alongside calm heads in the form of Springboks Buthelezi and Jaden Hendrikse.<\/p>\n Reflecting on the successes of the recent past and the Sharks\u2019 turnaround, Vincent Tshituka said: \u201cIt\u2019s been a really exciting time at the Hollywoodbets Sharks, we\u2019ve had two good wins after a rough start to the season and that\u2019s helped us build the little bit of momentum and confidence we needed.<\/p>\n Aphelele Fassi reveals \u2018what a privilege\u2019 it is to play for the Springboks, Siya Kolisi\u2019s \u2018advice\u2019 and how he modelled his game on All Blacks star<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n \u201c[Coach] JP has really challenged us on going from good to great and it\u2019s really lifted our standards in everything we do.<\/p>\n \u201cThe players are also taking personal responsibility as well and driving those standards. There has been a lot of buy-in over the past couple of weeks.\u201d<\/p>\n Despite the recent Christmas break, the Sharks have remained in competition mode and Tshituka highlighted the positive frame of mind in their camp.<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s quite a buzz around training and lots of excitement playing an SA derby, it\u2019s always a big one against the Lions, a spectacle and we expect nothing less than that. The guys are really looking forward to the challenge,\u201d he explained.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re all excited and believe we can turn this season around.\u201d<\/p>\n Sharks team to face the Lions<\/p>\n Sharks:<\/b> 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Edwill van der Merwe, 13 Ethan Hooker, 12 Andre Esterhuizen (c), 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Jordan Hendrikse, 9 Grant Williams, 8 Manu Tshituka, 7 Vincent Tshituka, 6 Siya Kolisi, 5 Emile van Heerden, 4 Jason Jenkins, 3 Hanro Jacobs, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Ox Nche Date:<\/b> Saturday, January 3 Want more from Planet Rugby? Add us as a preferred source on Google to your favourites list<\/a> for world-class coverage you can trust.<\/p>\n
Replacements:<\/b> 16 Eduan Swart, 17 Phatu Ganyane, 18 Mawande Mdanda, 19 Corne Rahl, 20 Phepsi Buthelezi, 21 Nick Hatton, 22 Jaden Hendrikse, 23 Siya Masuku<\/p>\n
Venue:<\/b> Hollywoodbets Kings Park, Durban
Kick-off:<\/b> 15:30 local (13:30 GMT)
Referee:<\/b> Chris Allison (SARU)
Assistant Referees:<\/b> Aimee Barrett-Theron (SARU), Hanru van Rooyen (SARU)
TMO:<\/b> Egon Seconds (SARU)
How to watch:<\/b> SuperSport \/ Premier Sports \/ TG4 \/ FloRugby \/ URC.tv<\/p>\n