The Sharks begin their 2025/26 United Rugby Championship campaign against former winners Glasgow Warriors in Scotland on Friday evening.
Beginning the campaign on the road certainly makes for interesting times, with Sharks head coach John Plumtree admitting that the three match tour presents numerous challenges for his side.
“I’m happy with the way we’ve prepared with some real challenges, we’re good to go,” he admitted on the eve of the match.
“The front row hasn’t played together, the same with the locks, the nine-ten combination too, so there are some challenges, but we have prepared well. We’ve put the players under pressure as much as we can based on what they’re going to be exposed to in Scotland. We’ve relied on other unions to help us out and hopefully we’ve done enough.”
The leadership of Vincent Tshituka as captain is a plus for the side that has a mix of old faces and new signings in the absence of Springboks and injured players.
“Vinny is the sort of guy who leads by example, he’s such a consistent rugby player: he’ll talk about it and then do it, those are the best leaders to play for,” added Plumtree.
“It’s a ‘follow-me’ mindset, certainly he does that. He also has some good support around him, with Phepsi Buthelezi there, his brother Manu, Marvin Orie, Ruan Dreyer upfront, and then Swys Venter and Lukhanyo Am in the back, all of whom have been around for a long time. So he has a good blend of leadership there.”
Orie is a new signing who brings a wealth of experience to the team. The Springbok boasts 16 international caps and a 13-year professional career spanning over 200 appearances for the Bulls, Lions, Stormers, Ospreys and Perpignan.
“He’s our lineout caller, although Deon Slabbert can also call, so they will help each other. His experience in pressure moments should help us a lot.
“I really want him to bring his own game, he’s got to prove himself to us,” continued Plumtree.
“We know what he can do and has done, but ultimately he’s now playing for a new team and we’ll see what his work-rate is like and hopefully he’ll have a good game, not only from a leadership point of view.”
Loosehead prop Simphiwe Matanzima, scrumhalf Ross Braude and wings Christie Grobbelaar and Edwill van der Merwe are all set to make their URC debuts for the Sharks, while Jaden Hendrikse has been named at flyhalf, not in the customary scrumhalf jersey, taking on the playmaker role in the absence of the injured duo of his brother Jordan and Siya Masuku.
Sharks – 15 Yaw Penxe, 14 Edwill van der Merwe, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 Francois Venter, 11 Christie Grobbelaar, 10 Jaden Hendrikse, 9 Ross Braude, 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 Dian Bleuler, 18 Lee-Marvin Mazibuko, 19 Bathobele Hlekani, 20 Nick Hatton, 21 Jean Smith, 22 Jurenzo Julius, 23 Hakeem Kunene.
