Siya Kolisi and Eben Etzebeth back to lead Sharks in URC knockout match

Sharks head coach John Plumtree has made five changes to the side that defeated Scarlets in the final week of VURC pool action, bringing in some key players to do battle against the former champions.

Firstly, Jason Jenkins and Emile van Heerden swap jerseys in the lock position, with the former starting in place of the latter this week. James Venter returns to action after sustaining a neck injury against Ospreys and takes over from Tino Mavesere at flank, while two-time Rugby World Cup-winning captain Siya Kolisi returns to the starting line-up at eighthman after taking a Springbok-enforced rest against Scarlets, replacing Phepsi Buthelezi, who will provide energy off the bench.

There are two further changes in the backline as Plumtree welcomes back the Springbok duo of Jordan Hendrikse, who replaces the injured Siya Masuku at flyhalf and another two-time Rugby World Cup winner Lukhanyo Am (who will earn his 100th cap for the Sharks in international competitions) returns in place of Jurenzo Julius at outside centre.

Although the Sharks have played in some tight games in the run-in to the knock-outs, captain Eben Etzebeth admits that this has been good prep for this stage of the tournament.

"We've seen in the past that play-offs can be tight affairs, and winning tight games is something we've done a bit of this year," he explains.

"Last year when we ended up lower on the log, we lost those tight games, but this year we've turned things around and won them.

"We're used to those kinds of games, hopefully we don't make it that tight on Saturday."

While his side is filled with Springboks, Munster come to Durban having proved their worth over the years and Etzebeth is under no illusions as to what is coming.

"They're a quality side and it's probably going to come down to discipline on the day and who has the better goal-kicker," said the Bok.  

"It's going to be a very close game."

With injuries and Springbok resting protocols, there have been opportunities for many of the players within the wider squad, and they've all shown the drive and ability to play at a high level.

"A lot of guys got exposure this season, we've seen Ethan Hooker who has been amazing this season, the front row off the bench have really grown and put in great performances in the last few weeks," added Etzebeth.

"So, there are some young guys getting more and more game time and it feels that the more opportunities they're given, the more confident they get and the better they play."

Saturday's quarter-final clash at Hollywoodbets Kings Park kicks off at 18:30.

Sharks - 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Ethan Hooker, 13 Lukhanyo Am*, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Jordan Hendrikse, 9 Jaden Hendrikse, 8 Siya Kolisi (v/c), 7 Vincent Tshituka, 6 James Venter, 5 Jason Jenkins, 4 Eben Etzebeth (c), 3 Vincent Koch, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Ox Nche.

Replacements: 16 Fez Mbatha, 17 Ntuthuko Mchunu, 18 Hanro Jacobs, 19 Emile van Heerden, 20 Phepsi Buthelezi, 21 Bradley Davids, 22 Francois Venter, 23 Yaw Penxe.

READ MORE: Springbok Andre Esterhuizen previews Sharks URC quarterfinal clash with Munster