By Zim Sport Live Writer
Zimbabwe rugby international Tino Mavesere has been named in the Sharks’ starting lineup for their potentially explosive second round Vodacom United Rugby Championship clash with the Vodacom Bulls at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.
Mavesere is one of the changes in the Sharks squad which is missing key players headlined by Springboks captain Siya Kolisi who is currently on leave as part of his minimum rest mandated by SA Rugby.
Springboks players are supposed to get at least eight weeks per season and Kolisi is currently enjoying the time off, his first break since sustaining the injury that put his involvement in the 2023 World Cup in doubt.
Kolisi’s absence paves the way for Mavesere, who has been establishing himself at the Durban outfit over the last couple of seasons after a difficult start to his career at the South African franchise due to injuries.
Mavesere, who will he making his first appearance in the New Year, will link up with Sharks’ standin skipper Vincent Tshituka and Phepsi Buthelezi in the backrow.
The Sharks took a much-needed break after their last outing, a bonus-point win in Cardiff that moved them up to fourth on the log.
They are now five log points behind the Bulls and need to win at Loftus to stay within striking distance of the Pretoria side.
In the corresponding fixture last season, the Bulls scored six tries in a 44-10 rout, but the Sharks claimed bragging rights at Kings Park in December (20-17).
SHARKS – 15 Jordan Hendrikse, 14 Yaw Penxe, 13 Jurenzo Julius, 12 Lukhanyo Am, 11 Ethan Hooker, 10 Siya Masuku, 9 Grant Williams, 8 Phepsi Buthelezi, 7 Vincent Tshituka (c), 6 Tino Mavesere, 5 Jason Jenkins, 4 Corne Rahl, 3 Trevor Nyakane, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Ntuthuko Mchunu.
Bench: 16 Ethan Bester, 17 Ruan Dreyer, 18 Hanro Jacobs, 19 Lappies Labuschagne, 20 Jannes Potgieter, 21 Bradley Davids, 22 Francois Venter, 23 Jaco Williams.