Curwin Bosch will start at flyhalf in one of six changes to the Sharks team to face the Waratahs in Sydney on Saturday.
Bosch, who has played the last three games at fullback, will start at flyhalf for the first time this season, with Robert du Preez dropping to the bench.
He will form a new-look halfback partnership with Cameron Wright, as captain Louis Schreuder has his game time managed. Tendai Mtawarira will take over the leadership reins from Schreuder.
As a result, Aphelele Fassi starts at fullback, while there are also returns for Makazole Mapimpi and Lukhanyo Am, who replace Lwazi Mvovo and Kobus van Wyk respectively.
Up front, Thomas du Toit comes in for Coenie Oosthuizen, while Jean-Luc du Preez makes his first start of the season in place of Jacques Vermeulen.
Akker van der Merwe will make his comeback from suspension from the bench.
Sharks – 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Sbu Nkosi, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Curwin Bosch, 9 Cameron Wright, 8 Daniel du Preez, 7 Jean-Luc du Preez, 6 Philip van der Walt, 5 Hyron Andrews, 4 Ruben van Heerden, 3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Kerron van Vuuren, 1 Tendai Mtawarira (c).
Subs: 16 Akker van der Merwe, 17 Mzamo Majola, 18 Coenie Oosthuizen, 19 Ruan Botha, 20 Jacques Vermeulen, 21 Louis Schreuder, 22 Robert du Preez, 23 Marius Louw.
Photo: Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix