Sharks will throw ‘kitchen sink’ at us – Bulls’ White
Sharks boss Sean Everitt has picked an almost full-strength side for the match, while the Bulls are still experimenting with juniors.
Sharks prop Ox Nche and hooker Fez Mbatha will be key figures when they come up against the Bulls in Durban on Friday. Picture: Steve Haag/Gallo Images
Bulls coach Jake White is expecting the Sharks to throw the “kitchen sink” at them when the teams meet in Durban on Friday evening.
It will be the first clash between the outfits since the Bulls’ triumph over the Sharks in the Currie Cup final in late January.
The Sharks have picked new recruit Siya Kolisi to start on the side of the scrum, while Springbok props Ox Nche and Thomas du Toit, No 8 Sikhumbuzo Notshe and wing Sbu Nkosi are also back in the starting team.
Flyhalf Curwin Bosch has been given the weekend off.
Kolisi has been on a six-week conditioning programme since his move from Cape Town.
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Unlike Sharks boss Sean Everitt, White has picked a largely youthful side for the match, but there are recalls for props Lizo Gqoboka and Marcel van der Merwe as well as veteran flyhalf Morne Steyn.
With rain expected in Durban on Friday, White said he expected a number of experienced Sharks campaigners to return to the action.
“I was expecting Ox, Siya, Thomas, Notshe, and Nkosi,” said White, referring to the Bok stars in Everitt’s team.
“I expect the whole kitchen sink to be thrown at us (on Friday).”
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White added he was excited to see some of the Bulls’ youngsters, like fullback Richard Kriel and centres Dawid Kellerman and Marnus Potgieter, in action against the formidable Sharks outfit.
“It’s a great test for us and a great opportunity with a group that hasn’t played a lot together,” said White, who lauded the Preparation Series.
“I was always going to use the competition to rotate the players and give as many of them an opportunity. It’s great that I could try out different combinations in a competitive environment.”
Kick-off: 7pm.
Sharks: Anthony Volmink, Sbu Nkosi, Lukhanyo Am (capt), Marius Louw, Yaw Penxe, Boeta Chamberlain, Jaden Hendrikse, Sikhumbuzo Notshe, Henco Venter, Siya Kolisi, Emile van Heerden, Ruben van Heerden, Thomas du Toit, Fez Mbatha, Ox Nche. Bench: Kerron van Vuuren, Mzamo Majola, John-Hubert Meyer, JJ van der Mescht, Phepsi Buthelezi, Sanele Nohamba, Rynhardt Jonker, Aphelele Fassi.
Bulls: Richard Kriel, Madosh Tambwe, Marnus Potgieter, Dawid Kellerman, Diego Appollis, Morné Steyn, Zak Burger, Nizaam Carr (capt), Tim Agaba, Werner Gouws, Janko Swanepoel, Jan Uys, Marcel van der Merwe, Schalk Erasmus, Lizo Gqoboka. Bench: Janco Uys, Jacques van Rooyen, Mornay Smith, Raynard Roets, WJ Steenkamp, Keagan Johannes, Clinton Swart, Jay-Cee Nel, Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Reinhardt Ludwig, Bernard van der Linde, Niel Beukes.
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