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United-rugby-championship
The Hollywoodbets Sharks they withdrew three Springboks for Vodacom on Friday night United Rugby Championship clash against Cardiff in Wales, where Andre Esterhuizen returns as captain after a mandatory holiday.
Esterhuizen returns straight to the starting XV alongside wings Ethan Hooker and Edwill van der Merwe, while fellow Springboks Ox Nche and Thomas du Toit are included among the replacements as head coach JP Pietersen refreshes his 23rd cap.
The Durban side head into the match on the back of an impressive away win over Lyon, a performance which underlined the growing confidence within the squad.
The challenge is expected to be another serious one, with just one point separating Cardiff and the Sharks after both teams won two of their first three URC matches.
Forwards coach Warren Whiteley believes his side will have to be at their best.
“They are a quality team, tactically very smart and it will be a big battle,” Whiteley said from the team’s base in Wales.
The former Sharks captain pointed to the key themes underlying the team’s development this season.
“There are three things with which we themed our season.
“One was quick, faster and more conditioned than ever before and we’ve seen some incredible positive results in that area.
“The second was about being physical. We know rugby is a physical game and in every area of the game we want to be the most physical.
“And then there’s the relentless factor that speaks to your culture and the values that the team holds dear. What we’re happy about is that we’re starting to see that, and a lot of that comes from looking after each other and believing in each other.
“It was fantastic to see that last week and we just want to continue to grow together and bond, bond as a group.
“And when we play, we want to see that identity come through, to be fast, physical and relentless.”
Hollywoodbets Sharks: 15 Zekhethelo Siyaya, 14 Edwill van der Merwe, 13 Jurenzo Julius, 12 Andre Esterhuizen (c), 11 Ethan Hooker, 10 Gianni Lombard, 9 Jaden Hendrikse; 1 Phatu Ganyane, 2 Eduan Swart, 3 Hanro Jacobs, 4 Jason Jenkins, 5 Emile van Heerden, 6 Matt Romao, 7 Manu Tshituka, 8 Nick Hatton.
Replacements: 16 Ethan Bester, 17 Ox Nche, 18 Thomas du Toit, 19 Stephan Lewies, 20 Vincent Tshituka, 21 Ivan van Zyl, 22 Siya Masuku, 23 Jaco Williams.
