Etzebeth promoted to start as Sharks name Bok-heavy XV for Stormers derby

Eben Etzebeth has been promoted from the bench into the Sharks’ starting XV for Saturday’s United Rugby Championship derby against the Stormers, joining Ox Nche and Ethan Hooker in moving up from the replacements after last weekend’s 26-20 win over Leinster.

Etzebeth partners Darrien Landsberg in the second row for the league leaders’ first away game of the campaign. Nche’s inclusion at loosehead sees Thomas du Toit shift from No.1 to tighthead, while Hooker takes the left wing. Further changes in the pack have Matt Romao starting at blindside and Phepsi Buthelezi moving to No.8, with Zekhethelo Siyaya handed the No.15 jersey. Gianni Lombard is set to make his Sharks debut from the replacements.

The Sharks travel to Cape Town having won both of their opening home fixtures, but scrum coach Philip Lemmer is under no illusions about the challenge awaiting them against a Stormers side that also boasts significant Springbok representation up front.

“It’s definitely going to be a massive battle this week — it’s like two big brothers taking each other on at scrum time because they all know one another really well, having scrummed together at the Boks and against each other as well,” Lemmer said. “It’s a big contest and a big point of focus to see who can dominate at scrum time.”

Sharks XV: 15 Zekhethelo Siyaya, 14 Edwill van der Merwe, 13 Jurenzo Julius, 12 Andre Esterhuizen (captain), 11 Ethan Hooker; 10 Vusi Moyo, 9 Jaden Hendrikse; 1 Ox Nche, 2 Eduan Swart, 3 Thomas du Toit, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 5 Darrien Landsberg, 6 Matt Romao, 7 Manu Tshituka, 8 Phepsi Buthelezi.

Replacements: 16 Esethu Mnebelele, 17 Cameron Dawson, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 Jason Jenkins, 20 Stephan Lewies, 21 Nick Hatton, 22 Ivan van Zyl, 23 Gianni Lombard.