Sharks' Bok bolter Edwill van der Merwe moves to fullback for Dragons clash

By SABC Sport
2nd October 2025

The Sharks and Dragons go head-to-head in the second round of the United Rugby Championship at Rodney Parade in Newport on Friday night.

Sharks head coach John Plumtree has kept his forward pack intact from last week, while he brings in three changes to the backline.

Jean Smith takes over from Springbok Jaden Hendrikse who filled in at flyhalf last week, but reverts to scrumhalf, with Ross Braude playing off the bench.

Springbok Lukhanyo Am shifts from outside to inside centre, opening the way for Jurenzo Julius to come in as his midfield partner, and the final change sees Bok bolter Edwill van der Merwe moving to fullback in place of the injured Yaw Penxe, with PK Sobahle named on the wing.

Much of the continuity is based around the positives the team took from their week one match against Glasgow last week, despite going down 35-19.

For loose-forward Phepsi Buthelezi, there was enough to be optimistic about, while acknowledging that they also have work-ons as they look to build at this early stage of the tournament.

"Having looked back at the game, we know we could have been better in certain aspects which was disappointing from our side and definitely something we're good to look to improve on this week," he said from the team's camp in Newport.

"But there were a lot of positives and even though we'll never be happy with a loss, we must look to take those positives into the Dragons game.

"It's really simple from our side: we want our fans to see a proud and hardworking Hollywoodbets Sharks team that's going to go out and work hard for one another and show pride in the Sharks jersey.

"Something we've spoken a lot about during the preseason was working hard for the badge and that's what we want to show on Friday night."

Sharks - 15 Edwill van der Merwe, 14 Phiko Sobahle, 13 Jurenzo Julius, 12 Lukhanyo Am, 11 Christie Grobbelaar, 10 Jean Smith, 9 Jaden Hendrikse, 8 Vincent Tshituka (c), 7 Manu Tshituka, 6 Phepsi Buthelezi, 5 Marvin Orie, 4 Deon Slabbert, 3 Ruan Dreyer, 2 Fez Mbatha, 1 Simphiwe Matanzima.

Replacements: 16 Eduan Swart, 17 Cameron Dawson, 18 Cebo Dlamini, 19 Bathobele Hlekani, 20 Nick Hatton, 21 Ross Braude, 22 Francois Venter, 23 Hakeem Kunene.