Month: October 2026

Andre Esterhuizen, Jurenzo Julius (just as he started showing some real form) and Phatu Ganyane have all gone home early after picking up injuries in last week’s game. Jason Jenkins did look uncomfortable when he left the field but is fit to play. Ox starts this week with Thomas du Toit providing power from the bench. Suleiman Hartzenberg joined the team this week and will play 13 next to Ethan Hooker who moves to 12. Esethu Mnebelele will provide hooker cover this week next to Cameron Dawson who would want to build on impressive scrumming in the Currie Cup. Lili Bester will get another chance off the bench.

The Sharks Boks have rejoined the squad after being left at home for the Challenge Cup. JPP has decided to again select Ox Nche and Thomas du Toit on the bench. Selecting Ox on the bench has back fired against Australia and against the Stormers. Hopefully it will be third time lucky for the Sharks. That said the reserve front row scrummed very well against the heavier Lyon pack. Jordan Hendrikse has picked up an injury against Lyon – so Gianni Lombard will have to run the show from 10.

JPP has selected the strongest available team for the game in Cape Town. The Stormers have also selected all their available Boks including Wilco Louw. The scrum battle between Ox and Louw will be worth the ticket price on its own. The Sharks Boks will have the slight advantage that they already have played one game for their URC team.

JPP has selected his Boks for the game against Leinster. Thomas du Toit starts at loosehead with Ox Nche on the bench. Andre Esterhuizen captains the team from 12 with Edwill on the wing. Eben Etzebeth and Ethan Hooker features on the bench.

Loading with returning Boks has not always worked for the Sharks. The Boks have just been through a challenging series up there with Lions and World Cup levels plus actually traveling around the globe. I am not sure how much these guys will still have in the tank.