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Sharks boss Powell makes one change to team for Benetton URC clash
The Sharks have to beat the team from Italy to keep alive their hopes of reaching the playoffs.
Ben Tapuai will wear the Sharks No 12 jersey against Benetton. Picture: Steve Haag Sports/Gallo Images
Sharks boss Neil Powell has been forced to make one change to his starting side for Friday night’s United Rugby Championship match against Benetton in Durban.
The change comes in the backline where Ben Tapuai replaces the injured Rohan Janse van Rensburg, who was carried off the field in last weekend’s Champions Cup quarter-final against Toulouse in Toulouse.
Coming onto the bench will be Marnus Potgieter.
Must-win games
The rest of the Sharks side is the same for the penultimate round match.
The Sharks have to win the game to keep alive their hopes of reaching the top eight and featuring in the quarter-finals in a few weeks’ time.
Powell’s team are eighth in the standings with 41 points and being chased by Benetton, ninth and 40 points, Cardiff, 10th and 39 points, and the Lions, 11th and 38 points.
The Sharks’ last league game next weekend, also in Durban, is against Munster, who’re currently fifth on the log.
Benetton have had a mixed bag of results, losing to the Lions at home in their last match, but have beaten Ulster as well, losing the other three of their previous five games this year.
Sharks: Boeta Chamberlain, Werner Kok, Lukhanyo Am, Ben Tapuai, Makazole Mapimpi, Curwin Bosch, Grant Williams, Sikhumbuzo Notshe, Vincent Tshituka, Siya Kolisi (capt), Gerbrandt Grobler, Hyron Andrews, Thomas du Toit, Bongi Mbonambi, Ox Nche. Bench: Kerron van Vuuren, Ntuthuko Mchunu, Carlu Sadie, Jeandre Labuschagne, Phepsi Buthelezi, Cameron Wright, Marnus Potgieter, Thaakir Abrahams
