Sharks Captain Eben Etzebeth to Lead Charge in Challenge Cup Final
South African Lock to Skipper Sharks Against Gloucester
London, England – South African lock Eben Etzebeth will captain the Hollywoodbets Sharks in the EPCR Challenge Cup final against Gloucester on Friday, taking over the role from the injured Lukhanyo Am.
“The mood in the camp is pretty good, everyone is focused. It’s a big game for us all, everyone is in tune and excited; we just want to give it our all,” said Ox Nche, who will earn his 50th cap for the side in international competitions.
The Sharks’ influential centre Am has been ruled out due to a shoulder injury, prompting Etzebeth, a two-time Rugby World Cup winner with the Springboks, to deputize as the team’s skipper. Etzebeth will lead a Sharks side that sees only two changes from the lineup that overcame ASM Clermont Auvergne in the semi-final.
Gerbrandt Grobler, who came off the bench against Clermont, replaces Emile van Heerden in the second row, while James Venter steps in for the unavailable Am, with Ethan Hooker shifting to the number 13 jersey.
Nche, who starts in an all-Springbok front row for the Sharks, expressed the team’s positive mindset as they aim to make history as the first South African team to win a European title, a feat that would be an “amazing reward” according to the prop.
Sharks XV:
- 15 Aphelele Fassi
- 14 Werner Kok
- 13 Ethan Hooker
- 12 Francois Venter
- 11 Makazole Mapimpi
- 10 Siya Masuku
- 9 Grant Williams
- 8 Phepsi Buthelezi
- 7 Vincent Tshituka
- 6 James Venter
- 5 Gerbrandt Grobler
- 4 Eben Etzebeth (c)
- 3 Vincent Koch
- 2 Bongi Mbonambi
- 1 Ox Nche
Replacements:
- 16 Fez Mbatha
- 17 Ntuthuko Mchunu
- 18 Hanro Jacobs
- 19 Lappies Labuschagne
- 20 Dylan Richardson
- 21 Cameron Wright
- 22 Curwin Bosch
- 23 Eduan Keyter
đź”— Source
