At Twickenham Stoop on Saturday, the first Challenge Cup semi-final between the Sharks and French powerhouses Clermont Auvergne will feature a formidable team led by head coach John Plumtree.
Ten Springboks, eight of whom are in the starting lineup, and seven Rugby World Cup winners make up the Durban-based team’s matchday roster.
The “Weekend Special” backline starts with Aphelele Fassi at full-back, Werner Kok at the wings, and Makazole Mapimpi, a Bok speedster, at full back. The captain, Lukhanyo Am, combines with Ethan Hooker in midfield.
In the meantime, Phepsi Buthelezi starts at number eight, with Vincent Tshituka and James Venter joining him in the back row as the two flankers. Grant Williams and Siya Masuku make up the half-back duo.
SA Rugby’s Player of the Year, Eben Etzebeth, is joined in the second row by Emile van Heerden. Bongi Mbonambi starts at hooker, joining props Ox Nche and Vincent Koch in an all-Springbok front row.
Clermont, meanwhile, has also selected a formidable starting lineup, with Argentina’s Bautista Delguy starting at full-back and Joris Jurand as the backup wings.
The starting centers are Tonga, George Moala, a former international for New Zealand, and Julien Heriteau. The half-back tandem consists of Anthony Belleau and Baptiste Jauneau.
Veteran loose forward Fritz Lee from Samoa leads the team from position eight, with Marcos Kremer of Argentina and Peceli Yato of Fiji on the two flanks and former Wallaby Rob Simmons and another Los Pumas star, Tomas Lavanini, combining in the second row.
Initially positioned as the tighthead prop, veteran France prop Rabah Slimani is joined in the front row by Etienne Fourcade, the hooker, and Giorgi Beria, the loosehead prop.
