Try-scorer from last week, Phepsi Buthelezi, leads a talented Hollywoodbets Sharks in their week two Investec Champions Cup clash with the Leicester Tigers at Mattioli Woods Welford Road.
After an unforgivingly physical clash with fellow English side Exeter Chiefs in last week’s round one bonus point victory at Hollywoodbets Kings Park, the high player workloads, and injury toll to the Hollywoodbets Sharks has necessitated a rejig of the team for Saturday’s clash.
“We’ve had some key injuries, which is not ideal,” explained head coach John Plumtree after the Exeter match.
“This presents an exciting opportunity to expose some of our next generation of talent within the system to step up and showcase their abilities. We are intentional in developing these young, skilled players, who have been an integral part of our set-up and fully understand our playing systems.
“The game will be an exciting challenge for them, and we have every confidence that they will rise to the occasion and make the Sharks family proud."
Leicester Tigers will present a formidable foe, currently sitting in third position on the Gallagher Premiership table. They will come out fighting following a first-round loss in France, seeing them go down to Bordeaux-Bègles.
After this clash, there are two remaining matches before the New Year and Coach Plumtree added: “The Sharks medical team are working hard to prepare the injured players for the matches against the Vodacom Bulls and DHL Stormers, aiming for a fully fit and mentally strong squad to finish the year on a high note.”
Hollywoodbets Sharks starting XV: 15 Jordan Hendrikse, 14 Eduan Keyter, 13 Ethan Hooker, 12 Francois Venter, 11 Yaw Penxe; 10 Siya Masuku, 9 Jaden Hendrikse; 8 Emmanuel Tshituka, 7 Jeandre Labuschagne, 6 Phepsi Buthelezi (capt); 5 Emile van Heerden, 4 Jason Jenkins; 3 Trevor Nyakane, 2 Dylan Richardson, 1 Ntuthuko Mchunu. Replacements: 16 Ethan Bester, 17 Phatu Ganyane, 18 Hanro Jacobs, 19 Corne Rahl, 20 Tinotenda Mavesere, 21 Bradley Davids, 22 Diego Appollis, 23. Hakeem Kunene.
Match information – Investec Champions Cup Round 2
Leicester Tigers v Hollywoodbets Sharks - Saturday @ Mattioli Woods Welford Road, Leicester (7.30pm)
Referee: Andrea Piardi
TV: SuperSport
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