Am benched gives indication of Sharks strength with big guns back

With three Springboks named as backline reserves the Hollywoodbets Sharks team to face Ulster in their fourth round Vodacom United Rugby Championship clash in Durban on Saturday is a much more accurate reflection of the franchise’s strength than what we have seen so far.

This was always going to be the point that coach John Plumtree was going to reintroduce his big guns and he hasn’t disappointed, with Andre Esterhuizen, Grant Williams, Siya Koliis, Eben Etzebeth and Ox Nche all getting their first Sharks games of the new season after their two week break following their part in South Africa’s Castle Lager Rugby Championship triumph.

The boys are pumped for our first home game of the season 💪

Who are you most excited to see at The Tank?@Vodacom #URC #SHAvULS pic.twitter.com/e3ZjGxvWIV

— The Sharks (@SharksRugby) October 16, 2025

In addition to that, there are further first choice players back in the mix after returning from injury. Siya Masuku played as a replacement flyhalf last week against Leinster but this week he starts in the No 10 jersey, with Bok capped Jordan Hendrikse getting his first run of the season as his backup.

Hendrikse’s Bok brother Jaden Hendrikse is also on the bench, along with Lukhanyo Am. What team in the world wouldn’t want the 2019 World Cup winner in their team, let alone on the bench? Am will back up Esterhuizen and Jurenzo Julius from the bench in the Ulster game.

Edwill van der Merwe, Ethan Hooker, and Makazole Mapimpi continue as the all Bok back three from last week, with Julius and Masuku the only backline players who are not current Boks. The team will be captained by Vincent Tshituka, who has done a good job so far this season, even though national captain Kolisi and Etzebeth are back in the team.

Hollywoodbets Sharks team: Edwill van der Merwe, Ethan Hooker, Jurenzo Julius, Andre Esterhuizen, Makazole Mapimpi, Siya Masuku, Grant Williams, Phepsi Buthelezi, Vincent Tshituka (captain), Siya Kolisi, Marvin Orie, Eben Etzebeth, Vincent Koch, Bongi Mbonambi, Ox Nche.

Replacements: Fez Mbatha, Simphiwe Matanzima, Ruan Dreyer, Bathobele Hlekani, Emmanuel Tshituka, Jaden Hendrikse, Jordan Hendrikse.