Sharks tweak line-up for Toulouse Champions Cup quarterfinal

Injury has forced the Sharks to make three changes to their starting line-up for their massive Champions Cup quarterfinal clash against French Top 14 log leaders Stade Toulousain at the Stade Ernest Wallon in France on Saturday afternoon (kick-off 4pm).

Director of Rugby Neil Powell’s team selection for the match shows only enforced changes, with Hyron Andrews replacing Eben Etzebeth at lock, Grant Williams in for Jaden Hendrikse at scrumhalf and loose-forward Jeandre Labuschagne taking over from Emile van Heerden on the bench.

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All three players were injured in the Sharks high scoring last 16 win over Munster in Durban last weekend, and the loss of two Springboks in Etzebeth and Hendrikse will be a considerable blow.

However Sharks centre Lukhanyo Am admitted that the team are all set after the huge Munster clash, and he expects nothing different this weekend against the French giants.

“The bodies were a bit sore after the Munster game, that was a really physical game, close to test match demands,” said Am.

“One or two wins gets your momentum going and right now we’re in a good space. We’re going to France to go play rugby.”

Tough challenge

Am is expecting a very tough challenge against Toulouse, but admits that they play a similar style to the South African sides, so it could come down to who executes best on the day.

“The French sides have a similar style of play to us, with a focus on the set-piece and forward-dominance with a backline that’s not afraid to move the ball around,” explained Am.

“It’s almost like-for-like and going to Toulouse, they’re a big side in France with home ground advantage which is going to be a challenge for us, but it’s something we’ve prepared for.

“As South African teams, we like the physical and confrontational side of things and if you bring that against a side like Toulouse’s big pack, it will give us confidence in the game.

“We just need to minimise the penalties and make sure our discipline is good so we don’t give them opportunities to get into our 22, I think that will give us a fair chance.”

Sharks: Boeta Chamberlain, Werner Kok, Lukhanyo Am, Rohan Janse van Rensburg, Makazole Mapimpi, Curwin Bosch, Grant Williams, Sikhumbuzo Notshe, Vincent Tshituka, Siya Kolisi (c), Gerbrandt Grobler, Hyron Andrews, Thomas du Toit, Bongi Mbonambi, Ox Nche

Bench: Kerron van Vuuren, Ntuthuko Mchunu, Carlu Sadie, Jeandre Labuschagne, Phepsi Buthelezi, Cameron Wright, Ben Tapuai, Thaakir Abrahams