DURBAN – The Sharks have not hesitated in throwing together their strongest possible team for what is a vital clash against the Lions this weekend in Durban, 5.15pm. All of the Springboks that did duty against England are included, as well as some of those who got a taste of Bok life in the camp.
Stalwart Beast Mtawarira lines up with Akker van der Merwe and Bok bench impact tighthead, Thomas du Toit while the locks are Tyler Paul and captain Ruan Botha, some of the few who did not have any national duties over June.
The twins, Jean-Luc and Daniel du Preez pair up with hard working Philip van der Walt while in the backs Cam Wright is preferred to Louis Schreuder to partner Robert du Preez.
It is a Bok centre pairing in Andre Esterhuizen and Lukhanyo Am while the back three sees Curwin Bosch, try scoring machine Makazole Mapimpi and Bok stand out Sbu Nkosi team up.
Try-scoring machine Makazole Mapimpi will look to add to his tally when the Sharks take on the Lions on Saturday. Photo: Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Nkosi admits that with the experience he gained in the Bok camp he has grown a lot as a player.
“As a rugby player, I believe I’ve grown a lot, skill-wise and conditioning, the high intensity training can only benefit me in Super Rugby. Also being around good men with lots of experience, I’ve grown personally too: how to conduct myself in the team environment.”
The Sharks team is:
15. Curwin Bosch, 14. Sbu Nkosi, 13. Lukhanyo Am, 12. Andre Esterhuizen, 11. Makazole Mapimpi, 10. Robert du Preez, 9. Cameron Wright, 8. Daniel du Preez, 7. Jean-Luc du Preez, 6. Philip van der Walt, 5. Ruan Botha, 4. Tyler Paul, 3. Thomas du Toit, 2 Akker van der Merwe, 1. Beast Mtawarira.
Replacements: 16. Franco Marais, 17. Juan Schoeman, 18. Ross Geldenhuys, 19. Hyron Andrews, 20. Jacques Vermeulen, 21. Louis Schreuder, 22. Marius Louw, 23. Lwazi Mvovo.