Challenge Cup final: Etzebeth to lead strong Sharks team

Eben Etzebeth will lead a strong Sharks team named to take on Gloucester in Friday night’s EPCR Challenge Cup Final at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London.

Sharks head coach John Plumtree has stuck with the team that defeated Clermont in the semi-final, with injuries to Jaden Hendrikse and Lukhanyo Am forcing the Springbok duo out of the game.

EBEN ETZEBETH TO LEAD SHARKS

In the only changes to the starting XV, Gerbrandt Grobler comes in for Emile van Heerden at lock, and Francois Venter moves into the inside centre position with Ethan Hooker replacing Lukhanyo Am.

Dylan Richardson and Eduan Keyter both impressed in the last match against Cardiff and have been rewarded with a place in the matchday 23.

The season has built up to this climactic finale and what a way to close out the EPCR Challenge Cup.

“The mood in the camp is pretty good, everyone is focussed,” explains Sharks loosehead prop Ox Nche, who will be playing his 50th international competition game for the Sharks. “It’s a big game for us all, everyone is in tune and excited; we just want to give it our all.”

Nche admits that of vital importance is staying focussed and not being overwhelmed by the occasion. This is where the senior, experienced members of the team have a huge role to play.

“Keeping players calm and everyone focussed on what they need to do and how they can help the team; that’s our biggest task at the moment.”

A HUGE FINAL

The Sharks prop explains that this game is tantamount to a Rugby World Cup Final in many respects.

“This is a serious game, it means a lot to us, it’s something we haven’t done as a union and it’s going to be as big a challenge for us.  

“We’re approaching it the same way: the intensity is the same because we could be the first South African team to win a European title.

“It would be an amazing reward if we did it!”

SHARKS TEAM

1.  Ox Nche*

2.  Bongi Mbonambi

3.  Vincent Koch

4.  Eben Etzebeth (Captain)

5.  Gerbrandt Grobler

6.  James Venter

7.  Vincent Tshituka

8.  Phepsi Buthelezi

9.  Grant Williams

10.  Siya Masuku

11.  Makazole Mapimpi

12.  Francois Venter

13.  Ethan Hooker

14.  Werner Kok

15.  Aphelele Fassi

Replacements

16.  Fez Mbatha

17.  Ntuthuko Mchunu

18.  Hanro Jacobs

19.  Lappies Labuschagne

20.  Dylan Richardson

21.  Cameron Wright

22.  Curwin Bosch

23.  Eduan Keyter

*Denotes 50th international competition game for the Hollywoodbets Sharks

PLAYERS NOT CONSIDERED FOR SELECTION DUE TO INJURY 

Coenie Oosthuizen

Lukhanyo Am

Boeta Chamberlain

Emile van Heerden

George Cronje

Jaden Hendrikse

Marnus Potgieter

Muller du Plessis

nevaldo Fleurs 

Zee Mkhabela