Lukhanyo available for Sharks final tour match but lose Mapimpi due to Bok rest protocols

DURBAN – Sharks captain Lukhanyo Am will be back in business for the Sharks when they complete their overseas tour against the Reds in Brisbane, but the Springbok protocols governing rest have removed lethal finisher Makazole Mapimpi.

Joining the Springbok wing in the stands are flanks Tyler Paul and James Venter, with Dylan Richardson and Henco Venter earning their first starts of the season in the loose trio.

Venter and Richardson were both used from the bench in the Sharks’ opening four fixtures.

In the final two changes, Lwazi Mvovo takes over from Mapimpi and Am is back in place of Jeremy Ward, who drops to the bench.

The Sharks’ mission statement is that they are a performance-based team, so improvement last week against the Rebel s is exactly what coach Sean Everitt demanded.

Cell C Sharks captain Lukhanyo Am returns to the side after an enforced break last week to lead the side in our final Vodacom Super Rugby tour match against the Reds in Brisbane on Saturday morning.

Full team and article at: https://t.co/uQopidUBfk #OurSharksForever #REDvSHA pic.twitter.com/95JkA8CKMt

— The Sharks (@TheSharksZA) February 27, 2020

“We were pleased with the improvement in our set-piece against the Rebels and that made the world of difference,” Everitt said from the teams’ base on the Gold Coast of Queensland.

“As a whole, the team is displaying a lot of energy on the field and the excitement they show is rubbing off on one another and we’ve managed to put in some good performances along the way.

“Although the performances haven’t been perfect, we are striving towards that end.”

The match kicks off at 10.15am (South Africa time).

The Sharks side is:

15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Madosh Tambwe, 13 Lukhanyo Am (capt), 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Lwazi Mvovo, 10 Curwin Bosch, 9 Louis Schreuder, 8 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 7 Henco Venter, 6 Dylan Richardson, 5 Hyron Andrews, 4 Ruben van Heerden, 3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Kerron van Vuuren, 1 Ox Nche.