Esterhuizen, Venter to start for Sharks against Leinster in Durban URC clash

Blockbuster centre Andre Esterhuizen will start his first game in three months when the Sharks host log leaders Leinster in a United Rugby Championship match in Durban on Saturday.

Esterhuizen last week played off the bench in the Sharks’ cliffhanger defeat of Zebre at Hollywoodbets Kings Park, and it was his sweeping pass out to wing Ethan Hooker that made the match-winning try.

Hooker began that game at centre but moved out to the wing when Esterhuizen came on.

Hooker remains on the wing for the Leinster game and in the other backline change, Yaw Penxe moves from right wing to fullback where he replaces injured Henry Immelman.

Coach John Plumtree has kept changes to a minimum. In the forwards, James Venter starts in place of rested Phepsi Buthelezi, and there is a welcome return on the bench for Manu Tshituka.

The younger brother of Vincent is making his way back from injury.

Sharks fans will also welcome the reintroduction of flyhalf Siya Masuku. He is over his injury and provides backline cover from the bench.

Leinster arrive in Durban off the back of a last-gasp loss to the Bulls in Pretoria last week and the table-topping Irish giants will want to leave South African shores on a positive note.

The Sharks, unbeaten at home this campaign, will have quite the opposite ambition of sending the visitors back to Ireland with a none-from-two record and continue to make their home ground a place to be feared.

Sharks Team

15 Yaw Penxe 14 Ethan Hooker 13 Jurenzo Julius 12 Andre Esterhuizen 11 Makazole Mapimpi 10 Jordan Hendrikse 9 Jaden Hendrikse 8 Siya Kolisi (captain) 7 Vincent Tshituka 6 James Venter 5 Emile van Heerden 4 Jason Jenkins 3 Vincent Koch 2 Bongi Mbonambi 1 Ox Nche.

Bench: 16 Fez Mbatha 17 Ntuthuko Mchunu 18 Ruan Dreyer 19 Corne Rahl 20 Manu Tshituka 21 Bradley Davids 22 Francois Venter 23 Siya Masuku.