New Zealand legend Ma’a Nonu will make his Sharks debut against the All Blacks at Kings Park on Tuesday in the second match of the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry tour.
The two-time World Cup winner, who joined the Durban-based club this week, ostensibly as a mentor for young outside backs, has been named among the replacements.
No 8 Nick Hatton will captain a side featuring several faces from their Vodacom URC pre-season squad.
WATCH: Nonu’s first day at Sharks
Two-time Springbok World Cup winner Vincent Koch starts at tighthead prop, while fellow Boks Vusi Moyo, Manu and Vincent Tshituka are set to feature at flyhalf, blindside flanker and off the bench, respectively.
New signings Donovan Don and Hendré Stassen start on the right wing and at lock respectively, with veteran scrumhalf Ivan van Zyl in line to debut from the bench.
The match also brings international experience into the mix, with 120kg loosehead prop Nemo Roelofse, who has been playing for Racing 92 in France included.
ICYMI: Welcome to Sharks Rugby Club
Head coach JP Pietersen has again backed youth alongside that experience, handing the exciting Zekhethelo Siyaya a starting role at fullback, while Rambo Kubekha, Matt Romao and Luan Giliomee wait to make an impact off the wood.
The clash forms part of the eight-match Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry tour, which includes fixtures against the Bulls and Lions and a four-Test series against the Springboks.
The tour will kick off on Friday when the All Blacks face the Stormers in Cape Town.
SHARKS – 15 Zekhethelo Siyaya, 14 Donovan Don, 13 Jurenzo Julius, 12 Murray Koster, 11 Litelihle Bester, 10 Vusi Moyo, 9 Bradley Davids, 8 Nick Hatton (c), 7 Emmanuel Tshituka, 6 Phepsi Buthelezi, 5 Emile van Heerden, 4 Hendrè Stassen, 3 Vincent Koch, 2 Eduan Swart, 1 Nemo Roelofse.
Bench: 16 Liam van Wyk, 17 Rambo Kubekha, 18 Simphiwe Ngobese, 19 Vincent Tshituka, 20 Matt Romao, 21 Ivan van Zyl, 22 Luan Giliomee, 23 Ma’a Nonu.
Photo: Steve Haag Sports/Gallo Images
