Scrumhalf Nic Groom will captain Western Province against the Sharks on Saturday in the absence of injured Nizaam Carr.

Carr has failed to recover from a hamstring strain suffered last weekend and will be replaced at No 8 by Sikhumbuzo Notshe, who makes a timely return from injury in one of three changes to the starting lineup.

Dillyn Leyds is back on the right wing, while Huw Jones will make his first start in the competition in place of Jaco Taute at inside centre.

Kobus van Wyk drops down to the bench – swapping with Leyds – with fit-again prop Oli Kebble and scrumhalf Jano Vermaak bench-replacing JP Smith and Godlen Masimla respectively.

Western Province – 15 Cheslin Kolbe, 14 Dillyn Leyds, 13 Johnny Kotze, 12 Huw Jones, 11 Seabelo Senatla, 10 Robert du Preez, 9 Nic Groom (c), 8 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 7 Rynhardt Elstadt, 6 Chris Cloete, 5 Ruan Botha, 4 Jean Kleyn, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Scarra Ntubeni, 1 Steven Kitshoff.
Subs: 16 Bongi Mbonambi, 17 Oli Kebble, 18 Chris van Zyl, 19 Jurie van Vuuren, 20 Jano Vermaak, 21 Demetri Catrakilis, 22 Kobus van Wyk.

Photo: Louis Botha/Gallo Images