Jordan at fullback as Bok legend leads the Sharks

The expectation that Jordan Hendrikse would be given the reins to become the Hollywoodbets Sharks’ game driver in their fifth round Vodacom United Rugby Championship clash with the Scarlets in Durban appears to have been scuppered by the suspension slapped on Makazole Mapimpi.

The Springbok wing was banned for five weeks after a URC disciplinary hearing on Wednesday following the red card he received for a tip tackle in the game against Ulster last Saturday. His absence from the Scarlets game meant that coach John Plumtree needed a wing and it makes sense for him to move Edwill van der Merwe back there.

Van der Merwe has played the last few games for the Sharks at No 15, but that was before Hendrikse, who can play both fullback and flyhalf and is equally adept at both, was back from his injury battle.

Still, it is a pity that Hendrikse won’t be wearing the No 10 against Scarlets as there is a good argument to be made for bedding him in and backing him as your permanent game driver so that he can build his confidence. Siya Masuku, who will start at pivot on Saturday, is a decent player but he can be inconsistent and was poor against Ulster.

He was also lining up much deeper than he used to in that game so it will be interesting to see if any adjustment is made in the second Hollywoodbets Kings Park game of the season.

Meanwhile Eben Etzebeth has taken the captaincy reins from Vincent Tshituka, which may be sourced in the strong leadership role the Bok lock has taken off the field this week in a period of mini-crisis for the Sharks.

It is understood that he and Siya Kolisi addressed the rest of the team on Monday and pledged support for the coach and loyalty to the jersey after last week’s disjointed performance led to an outcry from critics who expect a star studded team to always win no matter what.

There have been some other adjustments to the team that played last week, with Emmanuel Tshituka coming in at No 8 for Phepsi Buthelezi, who is on the bench, thus joining his brother and Kolisi in the back row.

Lukhanyo Am will also start in the midfield alongside Andre Esterherhuizen this week at the expense of Jurenzo Julius, who also plays off the bench. Am’s selection means that it is an all Bok midfield.

Hollywoodbets Sharks team: Jordan Hendrikse, Ethan Hooker, Lukhanyo Am, Andre Esterhuizen, Edwill van der Merwe, Siya Masuku, Grant Williams, Emmanuel Tshituka, Vincent Tshituka, Siya Kolisi, Marvin Orie, Eben Etzebeth (captain), Vincent Koch, Bongi Mbonambi, Ox Nche.

Replacements: Fez Mbatha, Cameron Dawson, Lee-Marvin Mazibuko, JJ Scheepers, Phepsi Buthelezi, Jaden Hendrikse, Jean Smith, Jurenzo Julius.