Sharks suffer Bok blow for Ospreys clash

The Sharks will be missing a big Bok gun when they battle Ospreys at Kings Park on Friday night.

Ox Nche is ill and has been replaced by Dian Bleuler at loosehead prop in one of three changes to the starting XV that beat Ulster 22-19 in Belfast in round 16 of the Vodacom United Rugby Championship.

Eben Etzebeth was a late withdrawal from that match but the veteran Bok enforcer returns to starting lineup and will lead a potent Sharks lineup.

In the backline, Siya Masuku replaces Jordan Hendrikse at flyhalf while Jurenzo Julius takes over from Lukhanyo Am at outside centre. Midfielder Francois Venter and utility back Yaw Penxe have been named on the bench.

The fourth-placed Sharks are coming off two confidence-boosting tour wins against Edinburgh and Ulster, while the Ospreys hammered the Dragons last time out to keep their playoff hopes alive.

🔥Your Hollywoodbets Sharks team for tomorrow🔥

Read the full team release article on https://t.co/UiVdNQY6oE @Vodacom #URC #SHAvOSP pic.twitter.com/LlbxHkaFxC

— The Sharks (@SharksRugby) May 8, 2025

SHARKS – 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Ethan Hooker, 13 Jurenzo Julius, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Siya Masuku, 9 Jaden Hendrikse, 8 Siya Kolisi, 7 Vincent Tshituka, 6 James Venter, 5 Jason Jenkins, 4 Eben Etzebeth (c), 3 Vincent Koch, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Dian Bleuler.
Bench: 16 Fez Mbatha, 17 Ntuthuko Mchunu, 18 Hanro Jacobs, 19 Emmanuel Tshituka, 20 Phepsi Buthelezi, 21 Bradley Davids, 22 Francois Venter, 23 Yaw Penxe.

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Photo: Steve Haag/Gallo Images