In this week’s round of the United Rugby Championship, the Sharks will host the Dragons at home, while the Edinburgh will aim to secure a victory away against Lions. This match is crucial for both teams as they strive to improve their standings in the league.
Sharks vs Dragons
The Sharks are looking to halt their recent poor performance, but they will be facing the Dragons, a team they haven’t beaten in their last three encounters. Coach John Plumtree made minimal changes to the squad from their previous match as they seek to bounce back from recent defeats.
Sharks team: Jordan Hendrikse, Eduan Keyter, Jurenzo Julius, Andre Esterhuizen, Ethan Hooker, Siya Masuku, Jaden Hendrikse, Emmanuel Tshituka, Vincent Tshituka (capt), James Venter, Gerbrandt Grobler, Jason Jenkins, Ruan Dreyer, Dylan Richardson, Ntuthuko Mchunu, Bench: Fez Mbatha, Trevor Nyakane, Hanro Jacobs, Corne Rahl, Phepsi Buthelezi, Cameron Wright, Lionel Cronje, Francois Venter
Lions vs Edinburgh
The Lions, who won 35-22 against Ulster, will host Edinburgh this week. Three new national team players will take the field for the Lions in this match. Edwill van der Merwe, who suffered an ankle injury during the match against Wales in June, will make his comeback after recovery. However, another injured national team player, Ruan Venter, will not be participating in this match.
Lions team: Quan Horn, Rabz Maxwane, Erich Cronje, Rynhardt Jonker, Edwill van der Merwe, Kade Wolhuter, Morne van den Berg, Francke Horn (capt), Jarod Cairns, JC Pretorius, Darrien Landsberg, Reinhardt Nothnagel, Asenathi Ntlabakanye, PJ Botha, Juan Schoeman. Bench: Franco Marais, Heiko Pohlman, Conraad van Vuuren, Ruben Schoeman, Renzo du Plessis, Sanele Nohamba, Marius Louw, Henco van Wyk
All the fixtures:
Friday: Cardiff Rugby v Glasgow Warriors (8.35pm), Scarlets v Connacht (8.35pm)
Saturday: Lions v Edinburgh (1.45pm), Bulls v Ulster (4pm), Dragons v Sharks (6.15pm), Benetton v Leinster (6.15pm), Zebre v Stormers (8.35pm), Munster v Ospreys (8.35pm)
