Sharks brothers unite against Dragons in the URC

The Sharks will have a set of brothers in the forwards and another set in the backline when they do battle with the Dragons in Wales this evening.

We have already seen how well loose forwards Vincent and Emmanuel have gelled for the Sharks since the latter moved to Durban from the Lions and now Jordan and Jaden Hendrikse have the opportunity to feed off each other in a top-level game.

The pair last played together when they were at Glenwood High. Jaden joined the Sharks straight out of school but Jordan sought his fortune at the Lions.

Jaden is the only current Springbok to join the Sharks for their second tour game and he takes over from Bradley Davids in the sole change coach John Plumtree has made to the starting XV that lost to Connacht.

Phepsi Buthelezi and Francois Venter have returned to the bench.

Jordan, who is the younger brother, said it was a pity their father had passed away before they could play together.

“It’s definitely something I look forward to and we’ve always dreamed of playing professionally together,” he said. “It was always our father’s dream, to see us playing together.”

The Sharks have never lost to the Dragons, with a 100 percent success record in the three URC campaigns to date. But, according to forwards coach Warren Whiteley, they take no expectation into this game based on past results.

“We have high standards for ourselves and regardless of who we play, we put that pressure on ourselves to perform. We were disappointed in our second-half performance against Connacht, but what’s great about this competition is that we have another opportunity this week.

“The Dragons gave Leinster a good go last week and beat Ospreys in the first round, so they’re a quality side, particularly at home, and they’ll be determined to get a victory, so we know what we’re up against.

“But we’re focusing on bettering our game, on improving the execution of our game model.”

Fortunately for the Sharks, this is more of a settled week after a short trip from Ireland into Wales as they prep for today’s clash.

“We’ve had our first full week in quite a long time to prepare for this game, and that’s lekker because we’re nice and settled,” said Whiteley.

“What’s important for us is that we’ve taken lessons out of last week’s game and we have to look forward to the challenge that the Dragons will bring.”

Sharks team

15 Jordan Hendrikse, 14 Eduan Keyter, 13 Jurenzo Julius, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Ethan Hooker, 10 Siya Masuku, 9 Jaden Hendrikse, 8 Emmanuel Tshituka, 7 Vincent Tshituka (captain), 6 James Venter, 5 Gerbrandt Grobler, 4 Jason Jenkins, 3 Ruan Dreyer, 2 Dylan Richardson, 1 Ntuthuko Mchunu.

Replacements: 16 Fez Mbatha, 17 Trevor Nyakane, 18 Hanro Jacobs, 19 Corne’ Rahl, 20 Phepsi Buthelezi, Cameron Wright, 22 Lionel Cronje 23 Francois Venter.