Sharks name their team to take on the Brumbies

The Sharks side named to play the Brumbies in Saturday’s Super Rugby quarter-final shows just two changes to the team that defeated the Stormers in Cape Town last weekend.

Aphelele Fassi has been ruled out of the match with a rotator cuff sprain on his right shoulder and his absence sees the welcome return of a fit-again Curwin Bosch who will operate at full-back. 

Juan Schoeman was not considered for selection last week due to a bout of flu and returns to the bench as loosehead cover. 

Selection continuity, particularly after a successful outing the previous week, always stands a team in good stead.

Add to that this year’s away record that has shown the Sharks to be effective and triumphant away from home and the signs bode well for a positive outing against the Australian Conference winners who have enjoyed a very good 2019 campaign.

The @CellC Sharks side named to play the @BrumbiesRugby in Saturday’s Vodacom Super Rugby quarter-final shows just one change as Aphelele Fassi has been ruled out of the match due to injury.

View the full team release here: https://t.co/LgB2SaFo0R#BRUvSHA #OurSharksForever pic.twitter.com/lUOQLNBubl

— The Sharks (@SharksRugby) June 20, 2019

Sharks captain Louis Schreuder, speaking from the team’s base in Coogee in Sydney ahead of a three-hour bus ride to Canberra, said that the team is focused and ready for the clash against the Brumbies.

“The game against the Stormers is behind us and our focus is on the Brumbies. Everyone is excited and looking forward to the challenge.”

STAT ATTACK Quarter-Finals
This week… Crunch time – which teams will handle finals pressure the best and we look at the best of the those who didn't make it to QFs?
Find out: https://t.co/Hm9jEwpqbj pic.twitter.com/nzvCKISEOe

— Super Rugby Pacific (@SuperRugby) June 20, 2019

“We haven’t faced them this year, they’re one of the teams we missed, they’re the log leaders in the Australian Conference so they’re not in the quarter-finals by chance,” he said.

“They’re a physical, well-organised team with a good set-piece and kicking game so we’re going to have to be well-prepared for that.”

SHARKS (v Brumbies, Saturday): C Bosch; S Nkosi, L Am, A Esterhuizen, M Mapimpi; R du Preez, L Schreuder (capt); M Majola, K van Vuuren, C Oosthuizen, R van Heerden, H Andrews, J Vermeulen, T Paul, D du Preez. Reps: C Collopy, J Schoeman, T du Toit, G Koegelenberg, L Stringer, C Wright, J Ward, R Smith. 

WATCH: Rugby League convert Tom Wright talks about his first Super Rugby play-off game, Saturday’s showdown versus the Sharks