Sharks look to Griquas hero Whitehead to spearhead URC challenge against Connacht

The Sharks have entrusted Griquas Currie Cup hero George Whitehead with the flyhalf duties for their United Rugby Championship match against Connacht in Galway on Saturday evening (9.45pm kick-off, SA time).

The 36-year-old Whitehead is partnered at halfback by Jaden Hendrikse, who is backed up on the bench by returning Springbok Grant Williams. The latter is the only Bok released to the Sharks from the Springbok team that plays Wales only an hour or so before the Sharks kick off in Ireland.

Williams is joined by fellow Springboks in wings Makazole Mapimpi and Edwill van der Merwe, both of whom were on the standby list for Rassie Erasmus’ successful Bok tour of Europe.

There are other Springboks in the Sharks team, even if they fall into the “former” category, in locks Jason Jenkins and Marvin Orie.

The team is captained by Vincent Tshituka, who was capped by Erasmus earlier this year against Italy, and he forms an exciting loose trio with his lively brother, Manu, and the Junior Springbok flank Matt Romao, who is making his debut for the Sharks.

The Sharks have a promising centre partnership in former Bok Francois Venter and former Junior Springbok Player of the Year, Jurenzo Julius.

Captain Tshituka said: “We’ve been able to prepare well for this challenge against Connacht. The guys have put in a lot of hard work, and there’s been a good, positive vibe going into this game.

“The past few weeks have been about the team connecting. It has been a tough start to the season, not the one we wanted, but the only way to build is to bounce back together and put in the hard work, which is exactly what we’ve done. We hope we reap the results.”

Sharks Team

15 Jordan Hendrikse 14 Edwill van der Merwe 13 Francois Venter 12 Jurenzo Julius 11 Makazole Mapimpi 10 George Whitehead 9 Jaden Hendrikse 8 Manu Tshituka 7 Vincent Tshituka 6 Matt Romao 5 Marvin Orie 4 Jason Jenkins 3 Hanro Jacobs 2 Fez Mbatha 1 Phatu Ganyane.

Replacements: Eduan Swart, Lee-Marvin Mazibuko, Mawande Mdande, Emile van Heerden, Phepsi Buthelezi, Grant Williams, Le Roux Malan, Hakeem Kunene.