Sharks boss Neil Powell has been forced to make several changes to his team for their United Rugby Championship quarter-final match against Leinster in Dublin on Saturday (6.30pm).
With Eben Etzebeth, Siya Kolisi, Curwin Bosch and Jaden Hendrikse all unavailable because of injury, the Sharks have a somewhat weakened look about them.
The excellent and under-rated James Venter replaces Kolisi in the starting team, while Boeta Chamberlain takes over from Bosch at flyhalf.
Centre Lukhanyo Am will lead the side in Kolisi’s absence.
‘No one gives us a chance’
With Chamberlain moving to 10, Aphelele Fassi returns at fullback.
In other changes, after a string of impressive performances in the Currie Cup recently, Corne Rahl returns to the side at lock, having made his URC debut earlier in the season against Connacht. The 20-year old is in for Jeandre Labuschagne who plays off the bench, while Marnus Potgieter replaces Werner Kok on the wing.
Lock Gerbrandt Grobler acknowledged the Sharks would start as underdogs against the table-toppers, but said his side believed in their ability and game-plan.
“No-one gives us a chance, and that’s OK, we have a job to do and we believe in it, because if you don’t believe it, you can’t achieve it,” he explained from the team’s base in Dublin. “We have nothing to lose, and we’ll be throwing everything into it.”
Grobler added: “What do you do, no-one gives you a chance, your back is against the wall, we’ll be going for it, why not believe? Anything can happen on the day: the bounce of the ball, a decision that goes your way, we’re going out there to give our best and enjoy ourselves.”
Sharks: Aphelele Fassi, Marnus Potgieter, Lukhanyo Am (capt), Ben Tapuai, Makazole Mapimpi, Boeta Chamberlain, Grant Williams, Sikhumbuzo Notshe, Vincent Tshituka, James Venter, Gerbrandt Grobler, Corne Rahl, Thomas du Toit, Bongi Mbonambi, Ox Nche. Bench: Fez Mbatha, Ntuthuko Mchunu, Carlu Sadie, Jeandre Labuschagne, Phepsi Buthelezi, Cameron Wright, Nevaldo Fleurs, Rohan Janse van Rensburg
