Strong team for Scarlets

Plum has selected a very strong team for the Scarlets game this coming Friday night. Ox, Etzebeth, Mapimpi, Am, Kok and Fassi will all start with Hendrikse moving back on the bench.

The Sharks have a bit of an openside flank crisis at the moment with both James Venter and Dylan Richardson out injured. Phepsi will have to fill the role while Vincent Tshituka moves into the 8 position. Not sure why Masevere was not rather looked at? Bongi is still not available (Sharks will need him in next week’s semi) so Fez Mbatha will start. Boeta Chamberlain gets another opportunity from the bench.

The Sharks should be able to beat the Scarlets in Wales – but they will have to keep the error rate down. They have made some progress in the games before last week’s rusty team reverting back to old ways.

1. Ox Nche

2. Fez Mbatha

3. Vincent Koch

4. Eben Etzebeth

5. Emile van Heerden

6. Phepsi Buthelezi

7. Lappies Labuschagne

8. Vincent Tshituka

9. Grant Williams

10. Siya Masuku

11. Makazole Mapimpi

12. Ethan Hooker

13. Lukhanyo Am (c)        

14. Werner Kok *

15. Aphelele Fassi

Replacements

16. Kerron van Vuuren

17. Ntuthuko Mchunu

18. Hanro Jacobs

19. Corne Rahl

20. Gerbrandt Grobler

21. Jaden Hendrikse

22. Boeta Chamberlain

23. Francois Venter

Players not available for selection this week due to injury

• Bongi Mbonambi
• Coenie Oosthuizen
• Curwin Bosch
• Dan Jooste
• Dylan Richardson
• George Cronje
• James Venter
• Lionel Cronje
• Marnus Potgieter
• Muller du Plessis
• Nevaldo Fleurs
• Zee Mkhabela