Conrad Hoffmann will start at scrumhalf in one of two changes to the Sharks team to face the Pumas in Nelspruit on Friday.
Hoffmann has had to contend with a bit part role after injury and the form of Cameron Wright has kept him on the sidelines. However, his introduction to the match against the Cheetahs coincided with an improvement in the Sharks' attack and he has been rewarded with a starting berth.
In the only other change to the run-on team, lock JC Astle has recovered from injury to take his place alongside Etienne Oosthuizen in the second row. Stephan Lewies will continue to provide cover from the bench.
S’bura Sithole, who was an injury doubt earlier in the week, has been cleared to play and will resume his midfield partnership with Paul Jordaan.
The front row who had struggled at times against an inexperienced Cheetahs pack has been retained, while Thomas du Toit has been rested, leaving Lourens Adriaanse as the only prop on the reserve bench.
Sharks – 15 SP Marais, 14 Odwa Ndungane, 13 S’bura Sithole, 12 Paul Jordaan, 11 Tonderai Chavhanga, 10 Fred Zeilinga, 9 Conrad Hoffmann, 8 Tera Mtembu (c), 7 Francois Kleinhans, 6 Jacques Botes, 5 JC Astle, 4 Etienne Oosthuizen, 3 Matt Stevens, 2 Kyle Cooper, 1 Dale Chadwick.
Subs: 16 Franco Marais,17 Lourens Adriaanse, 18 Stephan Lewies, 19 Johan Meyer, 20 Cameron Wright, 21 Heimar Williams, 22 Lionel Cronje.
Photo: Steve Haag/Gallo Images
