URC: Eben Etzebeth leads out depleted Sharks against Ospreys

Springbok behemoth Eben Etzebeth will captain the Sharks in their Round 17 United Rugby Championship clash with Ospreys at Hollywoodbets Kings Park on Friday night.

Head coach John Plumtree has made just three changes to his side that defeated Ulster 22-19 in Belfast two weeks ago.

There's one change to the pack with Dian Bleuler coming in for the ill Ox Nche at loosehead prop, while Siya Masuku replaces Jordan Hendrikse at flyhalf and Jurenzo Julius takes over from Lukhanyo Am at outside centre. The latter two play off the bench, with Francois Venter and Yaw Penxe named as their replacements.

Springboks Grant Williams, Jordan Hendrikse, Trevor Nyakane, Nche and Am are all unavailable for selection.

After two vital overseas wins in successive weekends, the Sharks are in fourth place on the URC table, seven points ahead of Cardiff, who face the rampant Bulls at Loftus on Saturday.

The Durban franchise needs just three log points from the final two weekends to ensure a home quarterfinal. However, Plumtree's men will be targeting the full haul of ten points in front of their KZN faithful.

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.

Replacements: 16 Fez Mbatha, 17 Ntuthuko Mchunu, 18 Hanro Jacobs, 19 Emmanuel Tshituka, 20 Phepsi Buthelezi, 21 Bradley Davids, 22 Francois Venter, 23 Yaw Penxe.