Springbok talisman Eben Etzebeth is not only back for the Sharks, but will captain them in their United Rugby Championship match in Edinburgh on Friday night (8.35pm kick-off).
It will be Etzebeth’s first rugby since December 7 last year, when he suffered a concussion against the Exeter Chiefs in Durban.
The Boks’ most capped player leads a powerful Sharks side, and it is the strongest coach John Plumtree has been able to select for six months.
Plumtree also welcomes back Boks Lukhanyo Am and Aphelele Fassi to the starting line-up and Grant Williams to the bench.
🔥Your Hollywoodbets Sharks team for tomorrow🔥
Read the full team release article here: https://t.co/GRbeBoaTU5@Vodacom #URC #EDIvSHA pic.twitter.com/idW4THesir
“The squad is back to full strength for the first time since the game against Glasgow, which is good, that was a long time ago, and hopefully we will keep all the bodies nice and healthy in the build-up to the finals,” said Plumtree on the eve of the match.
“We’ve had good preparation, although we haven’t played for a couple of weeks.
“We just want to have a good tour, and try and set ourselves up for a home quarter and potentially a home semi if we win our next four games.
“But for now, our focus is to do well on this tour.”
Check out this sibling battle on our YouTube channel😂🔥
— The Sharks (@SharksRugby) April 16, 2025
🔗: https://t.co/sO2rsUufnU pic.twitter.com/0anh1G5Sdh
This side will have to pull out all the stops against the high-riding Edinburgh side, who secured a home Challenge Cup semi-final clash with Bath, after defeating the Bulls in last week’s quarter-final.
“Edinburgh is going to be a tough game. They’re in good form and their confidence will be high, so we know it’s going to be a difficult match,” Plumtree added.
“Winning URC games away from home isn’t easy, and it certainly hasn’t been easy for us as a team in the past, so it would be great if we have a good performance against Edinburgh.”
Sharks Team
15 Aphelele Fassi 14 Ethan Hooker 13 Lukhanyo Am 12 Andre Esterhuizen 11 Makazole Mapimpi 10 Jordan Hendrikse 9 Jaden Hendrikse 8 Siya Kolisi 7 Vincent Tshituka 6 Phepsi Buthelezi 5 Emile van Heerden 4 Eben Etzebeth (captain) 3 Vincent Koch 2 Bongi Mbonambi 1 Ox Nche.
Bench: 16 Fez Mbatha 17 Ntuthuko Mchunu 18 Hanro Jacobs 19 Jason Jenkins 20 James Venter 21 Grant Williams 22 Siya Masuku 23 Jurenzo Julius.