Sharks lose Vincent Tshituka to concussion ahead of All Blacks clash

The Sharks will be without Springbok loose forward Vincent Tshituka for Tuesday evening’s meeting with the All Blacks in Durban after he was ruled out with concussion.

Coach JP Pietersen confirmed the withdrawal to the media on Monday, saying Tshituka had been removed from the matchday squad as a result of the head injury.

Tshituka had originally been named among the replacements for the fixture, but will now play no part in the match.

The Sharks have also made a change to their starting XV, with Deon Slabbert coming in for Emile van Heerden. Slabbert is listed at lock in the revised team.

Pietersen said the selection changes reflected a significant injury problem within the Sharks camp, with the squad particularly short of options in the front row and at lock.

“There’s a bit of trouble at loosehead prop and then we have lock issues too,” Pietersen said when discussing the team.

The coach has included several young players in the side for the high-profile encounter, which begins at 19:00 on Tuesday.

Nick Hatton will captain the Sharks from number eight, with Emmanuel Tshituka named at openside flanker and Phepsi Buthelezi at blindside flanker.

Zekhethelo Siyaya starts at full-back, while Donovan Don and Litelihle Bester are selected on the wings. Jurenzo Julius and Murray Koster form the midfield partnership, with Vusi Moyo at fly-half and Bradley Davids at scrum-half.

The starting side is completed by Deon Slabbert and Hendre Stassen in the second row, Vincent Koch at tighthead prop, Eduan Swart at hooker and Nemo Roelofse at loosehead prop.

Liam van Wyk, Rambo Kubekha and Simphiwe Ngobese are the front-row replacements. Corne Rahl and Matt Romao provide further cover among the forwards, while Ivan van Zyl, Luan Giliomee and Ma’a Nonu are named among the backline replacements.

The Sharks team to face the All Blacks is:

15 Zekhethelo Siyaya, 14 Donovan Don, 13 Jurenzo Julius, 12 Murray Koster, 11 Litelihle Bester, 10 Vusi Moyo, 9 Bradley Davids, 8 Nick Hatton (captain), 7 Emmanuel Tshituka, 6 Phepsi Buthelezi, 5 Deon Slabbert, 4 Hendre Stassen, 3 Vincent Koch, 2 Eduan Swart, 1 Nemo Roelofse.

Replacements: 16 Liam van Wyk, 17 Rambo Kubekha, 18 Simphiwe Ngobese, 19 Corne Rahl, 20 Matt Romao, 21 Ivan van Zyl, 22 Luan Giliomee, 23 Ma’a Nonu.