Eben Etzebeth Gets the Call As Sharks Prepare for Stormers Showdown
- Springbok lock Eben Etzebeth moves from the bench into the starting XV for the Sharks' United Rugby Championship clash with the Stormers on 10 October
- Ox Nche and Ethan Hooker are also elevated to starting positions, with Thomas du Toit shifting from loosehead to tighthead prop
- The Sharks head into their first away game of the season as league leaders after consecutive home wins, including last weekend's victory over Leinster
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DURBAN — Eben Etzebeth has been named in the Hollywoodbets Sharks' starting line-up for Saturday's United Rugby Championship derby against the Stormers, after featuring among the replacements in last weekend's 26-20 win over Leinster.
The Springbok lock will partner Darrien Landsberg in the second row for the Sharks' first away fixture of the 2026/27 URC season. Joining Etzebeth in making the step up from bench to starting XV are loosehead prop Ox Nche and left wing Ethan Hooker, bringing the total number of internationals elevated into JP Pietersen's starting line-up to three.
Sharks make key changes to starting line-up
Ox Nche's inclusion at loosehead prop sees Thomas du Toit move across to tighthead, while Zekhethelo Siyaya earns the starting full-back position. Matt Romao will feature at blindside flanker, allowing Phepsi Buthelezi to take over at No. 8. Meanwhile, Gianni Lombard could make his first appearance for the Sharks after being named among the replacements.
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Captain Andre Esterhuizen will lead the Durban side into the Cape Town derby following victories in their first two home matches of the season.
The reshuffle follows the Sharks' 26-20 win over Leinster at Kings Park on 3 October. Etzebeth, Nche and Hooker all featured off the bench in that match before being promoted to the starting side for the Cape Town trip.
Etzebeth's inclusion could also prove important at lineout time, where his ability to contest opposition throws gives the Sharks another defensive option. The Stormers, meanwhile, have named a powerful Springbok front row, setting up a demanding physical contest between the two packs.
Scrum battle highlighted as key contest
With both squads packed with Springbok experience, Sharks scrum coach Philip Lemmer has identified the set-piece as a defining area for the match.
"It's definitely going to be a massive battle this week; it's like two big brothers taking each other on at scrum time because they all know one another really well, having scrummed together at the Boks and against each other as well," Lemmer said, according to RugbyPass.
"It's a big contest and a big point of focus to see who can dominate at scrum time."
The match kicks off at 16:00 CAT on Saturday, 10 October 2026.
Sharks XV: 15 Zekhethelo Siyaya, 14 Edwill van der Merwe, 13 Jurenzo Julius, 12 Andre Esterhuizen (captain), 11 Ethan Hooker; 10 Vusi Moyo, 9 Jaden Hendrikse; 1 Ox Nche, 2 Eduan Swart, 3 Thomas du Toit, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 5 Darrien Landsberg, 6 Matt Romao, 7 Manu Tshituka, 8 Phepsi Buthelezi.
Replacements: 16 Esethu Mnebelele, 17 Cameron Dawson, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 Jason Jenkins, 20 Stephan Lewies, 21 Nick Hatton, 22 Ivan van Zyl, 23 Gianni Lombard.
Source: Getty Images
Stormers coach backs Paul de Villiers and Riley Norton
Briefly News also reported that Stormers director of rugby John Dobson has praised Paul de Villiers’ growing confidence following his Springbok experience, saying the flanker has become more willing to share his ideas.
Dobson also highlighted Riley Norton’s work rate and versatility, explaining how the youngster has helped address a selection challenge in the Stormers pack ahead of the coastal derby.
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Source: Briefly News
