Siya Kolisi of Hollywoodbets Sharks is one of the players to watch as they prepare to face Toulouse on Saturday. Picture: Gerhard Duraan, BackpagePix
Leighton Koopman
In the first of back-to-back clashes against two French powerhouses in the Champions Cup, the Sharks will look to their Springboks to overpower Toulouse in Durban.
It will be a contest with a strong international flavour when Kings Park plays host to the final home pool game of the tournament on Saturday (5.15pm kick-off).
While it’s expected that the French giants will rock up with their best team, the Durban outfit will look to their Boks to make the step up, like they did during the 2023 World Cup quarter-final against France in Paris.
Independent Media Sport takes a look at five Sharks that could play influential roles on Saturday afternoon ...
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Siya Kolisi
The Bok captain knows all about facing and beating some of the Toulouse players they’ll come up against. And he is no stranger to their abilities, having played for Racing 92 in the French Top 14 up until last year.
Kolisi knows how to graft when his team have a dogfight on their hands – and that is exactly what is expected against the French.
His rucking, especially on defence, alongside his ball-carrying, will be attributes the Sharks will rely on.
Eben Etzebeth
The return of the Bok enforcer to the home side could not have come at a more perfect time. His experience will be key in the lineouts, but in defence as well, as Toulouse are known for their big ball-carriers.
While Etzebeth will be light on game-time, few players possess the athletic ability to return from an injury and play themselves to a standstill. He will look to empty the tank and help secure a needed win for his side.
Bongi Mbonambi
The Bok hooker is set to make his return after a noticeable absence since the first Champions Cup clash against Exeter Chiefs early in December, when he injured his hand, much to the detriment of his team.
The impact he brings at scrum-time will be crucial to stabilise an aspect of their game that hasn’t always functioned smoothly when he was on the sidelines. Then, there’s the added experience he brings as a double World Cup winner, which will be invaluable.
Jordan Hendrikse
The young Springbok stands before a big test – which will provide some early insights into whether he is ready to face France in November this year – when he comes up against the likes of French superstars Antoine Dupont and Romain Ntamack.
While Hendrikse might even pop up at fullback in the absence of the injured Aphelele Fassi, his tactical and attacking play, especially with the boot, will be under intense scrutiny as the Sharks look for another win at home.
Lukhanyo Am
Another Springbok tipped to make a welcome return in the clash, Am’s defensive organisation could be key at outside centre if they want to stop Dupont and other backs from running riot on attack.
The double World Cup winner’s ability to hit gaps, roll a grubber past the defence or sleekly offload to put a teammate in space will also be important when the Sharks go in search of a crucial bonus-point victory to boost their play-off chances.
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