Sale load up on Saffa muscle for Sharks clash
The Sale Sharks have leaned heavily on South African firepower for Saturday’s Investec Champions Cup clash against the Sharks in Manchester.
Six players with roots in the Republic have been selected by the Premiership club for the pool-stage showdown.
Former Stormers lock Ernst van Rhyn will captain the side from the engine room. He is joined by former Sharks flanker Jacques Vermeulen, who will be central to Sale’s breakdown work alongside England star Tom Curry and Sam Dugdale in the loose trio.
Another ex-Shark, lock Hyron Andrews, provides impact from the bench, while the backline features two more familiar names for Durban supporters. Rob du Preez starts in midfield alongside Rekeiti Ma’asi-White, with former Sharks centre Marius Louw offering cover among the replacements.
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Speedster Gurshwin Wehr, on loan from Griquas, completes the South African contingent on the bench.
SALE SHARKS – 15 Joe Carpenter, 14 Obi Ene, 13 Rob du Preez, 12 Rekeiti Ma’asi-White, 11 Tom O’Flaherty, 10 George Ford, 9 Gus Warr, 8 Tom Curry, 7 Sam Dugdale, 6 Jacques Vermeulen, 5 Ernst van Rhyn (c), 4 Ben Bamber, 3 James Harper, 2 Nathan Jibulu, 1 Bevan Rodd.
Bench: 16 Ethan Caine, 17 Si McIntyre, 18 Willgriff John, 19 Tom Burrow, 20 Hyron Andrews, 21 Dom Hanson, 22 Marius Louw, 23 Gurshwin Wehr.
Photo: Jan Kruger/Getty Images