Hendrikse swtiches to flyhalf for Sharks URC opener

SHARKS coach John Plumtree has looked to Jaden Hendrikse to solve a flyhalf crisis going into Friday night's United Rugby Championship opener against the Warriors in Glasgow.

- MIKE GREENAWAY

Springbok scrumhalf Hendrikse moves to 10 because his brother, Jordan, has a back injury, and Siya Masuku is out with a shoulder problem.

Plumtree would have been tempted to play former Junior Springbok Jean Smith at flyhalf, but is taking the pressure off the youngster by playing him off the bench.

The injury problem at flyhalf is just one of several challenges Plumtree must negotiate at the start of the campaign.

“I’m happy with the way we've prepared despite some real challenges. We're good to go,” he said.

“The front row hasn’t played together, the same with the locks, the nine-ten combination too, but we have prepared well. We’ve put the players under pressure as much as we can based on what they’re going to be exposed to in Scotland.