Sharks unchanged for daunting task
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Sharks head coach Robert du Preez has revealed his team to face the Crusaders in their Super Rugby quarterfinal in Christchurch on Saturday.
It’s a completely unchanged matchday 23 from the one that beat the Jaguares in their final regular season match.
The Sharks’ 20-10 over the Argentinian side secured eighth place on the standings and the trip to Christchurch to face the defending champions.
The Crusaders are coming off a 54-17 win over the Blues. Scott Robertson’s team finished on top of the overall standings losing only two of their 16 matches.
Prop Tendai Mtawarira will play his 150th Super game in a Sharks jersey. He is not far behind Adriaan Strauss who is the most capped South African Super Rugby player with 156 caps.
Sharks: 15 Curwin Bosch, 14 Jacobus van Wyk, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Lwazi Mvovo, 10 Robert du Preez, 9 Louis Schreuder, 8 Daniel du Preez, 7 Jacques Vermeulen, 6 Philip van der Walt, 5 Ruan Botha (captain), 4 Tyler Paul, 3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Armand van der Merwe, 1 Tendai Mtawarira.
Replacements: 16 Mahlatse Ralepelle, 17 Juan Schoeman, 18 John-Hubert Meyer, 19 Hyron Andrews, 20 Wian Vosloo, 21 Cameron Wright, 22 Marius Louw, 23 Makazole Mapimpi.
Date: Saturday, July 21
Venue: AMI Stadium, Christchurch
Kick-off: 19.35 (09.35 SA time; 07.35 GMT)
Referee: Mike Fraser (New Zealand)
Assistant referees: Ben O’Keeffe (New Zealand), Brendon Pickerill (New Zealand)
TMO: Shane McDermott (New Zealand)
PLAYER OF THE WEEK: 2018 Super Rugby Week 19#SuperRugby #PlayeroftheWeek #CRUvBLU pic.twitter.com/4txcv4ScPA
— Super Rugby (@SuperRugby) July 17, 2018
