JP Pietersen will captain a Sharks side that shows six changes for Friday's encounter with the Sunwolves in Durban.
Pietersen continues at outside centre in the absence of the injured Paul Jordaan, while Odwa Ndungane will start in place of S'bura Sithole on the right wing. The other change to the backline sees Stefan Ungerer rotate in for Michael Claassens at scrumhalf.
Up front, prop Thomas du Toit replaces captain Beast Mtawarira, who has been rested, while Chiliboy Ralepelle will start at hooker in place of Franco Marais. In the second row, Ruan Botha will get a start in place of Stephan Lewies, while Tera Mtembu replaces the injured Jean-Luc du Preez at blindside flank.
Pat Lambie is bracketed on the bench, with the Sharks hoping that he will come through a late concussion test.
Sharks – 15 Rhyno Smith, 14 Odwa Ndungane, 13 JP Pietersen (c), 12 André Esterhuizen, 11 Lwazi Mvovo, 10 Garth April, 9 Stefan Ungerer, 8 Philip van der Walt, 7 Tera Mtembu, 6 Keegan Daniel, 5 Ruan Botha, 4 Etienne Oosthuizen, 3 Coenie Oosthuizen, 2 Chiliboy Ralepelle, 1 Thomas du Toit.
Subs: 16 Kyle Cooper, 17 Dale Chadwick, 18 Lourens Adriaanse, 19 Stefan Lewies, 20 Jean Deysel, 21 Michael Claassens, 22 Curwin Bosch/Pat Lambie, 23 Heimar Williams.
Photo: Shaun Roy/Gallo Images
