Springbok flyhalf Jordan Hendrikse headlines the Sharks team named to play Lyon on Saturday, with Junior Bok flyer Jaco Williams and powerful former Stormer Suleiman Hartzenberg as strong support acts.
The younger Hendrikse brother is back from a frustrating injury-enforced absence, and will be hungry to re-launch his career. The 25-year-old started two Tests in 2024, both against Wales, but has not been in Rassie Erasmus’s plans since.
Hendrikse’s recovery is well-timed because of the shoulder injury suffered by Vusi Moyo early in the match against the Stormers. Gianni Lombard played well when he came on for Moyo and will cover Hendrikse from the bench in Lyon.
The 20-year-old Williams had a sensational start to his Sharks career earlier this year and towards the end of the United Rugby Championship, and a Springbok start against Wales in the Nations Cup match at Kings Park in July was his reward. He scored a try on debut.
The Junior Bok has also had injury problems and will be keen to hit the ground running in his comeback.
Hartzenberg is on loan from the Stormers. He was mostly used on the wing in the Cape, but JP Pietersen has picked him at outside centre.
The sturdily built Hartzenberg has the physical ammo to be an explosive 13 — he is 1.87cm and almost 100kg.
“Suleiman is great to have,” Pietersen said of the 23-year-old. I always rated him when he started as a youngster, and having him on loan at the Sharks is just great. He slotted in seamlessly like he’s one of us.
“He’s a very positive kid who is always open to learning and becoming better, and how good is it for him to come at this time with Ma’a Nonu in our system to elevate his game and skill set?
“He’s a great addition to our team, and hopefully he can shoot the lights out and answer our questions in terms of what we want from him.”
Speaking of players returning from injury, Ethan Bester is starting at hooker. The 21-year-old Hilton College product played seven matches for the SA Under-20 team in 2024 and is a massive talent.
Another Hilton man, Nick Hatton, captains the side.
Sharks team to play Lyon
15 Zekhethelo Siyaya 14 Jaco Williams 13 Suleiman Hartzenberg 12 Murray Koster 11 Lili Bester 10 Jordan Hendrikse 9 Ivan van Zyl 8 Nick Hatton (capt) 7 Manu Tshituka 6 Matt Romao 5 Deon Slabbert 4 Stephan Lewies 3 Hanro Jacobs 2 Ethan Bester 1 Phatu Ganyane.
Replacements: 16 Esethu Mnebelele 17 Cameron Dawson 18 Nemo Roelefse 19 Emile van Heerden 20 Tino Mavesere 21 Bradley Davids 22 Gianni Lombard 23 Jurenzo Julius.