Thomas du Toit replaces the injured Tendai Mtawarira in one of four changes to the Sharks’ starting lineup against the Crusaders in Christchurch on Friday.

Following the news that Mtawarira has flown home with a knee injury, coach Robert du Preez has opted to shift Du Toit from tighthead to loosehead as a direct replacement.

There are two more changes to the pack, as Coenie Oosthuizen starts while Ruan Botha replaces Hyron Andrews, who has his game time managed.

There is just one change in the backline, with Louis Schreuder returning to the starting lineup and taking back the captaincy armband worn by Mtawarira against the Waratahs.

Sharks – 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Sbu Nkosi, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Curwin Bosch, 9 Louis Schreuder, 8 Daniel du Preez, 7 Jean-Luc du Preez, 6 Philip van der Walt, 5 Ruan Botha, 4 Ruben van Heerden, 3 Coenie Oosthuizen, 2 Kerron van Vuuren, 1 Thomas du Toit.
Subs: 16 Akker van der Merwe, 17 Mzamo Majola, 18 John-Hubert Meyer, 19 Hyron Andrew, 20 Jacques Vermeulen, 21 Cameron Wright, 22 Robert du Preez, 23 Marius Louw.

Photo: Gerhard Duraan/Backpage