Andre Esterhuizen and Thomas du Toit have both been named in the Sharks starting lineup for their match against the Vodacom Blue Bulls in Pretoria on Saturday.

The duo were released from the Springbok camp to play in the Currie Cup and have both been fast-tracked into the starting XV for the crunch match at Loftus Versfeld.

Esterhuizen is named at his regular position at inside centre, causing co-captain Jeremy Ward to shift to outside centre with veteran JP Pietersen dropping to the bench.

Du Toit takes over from Mzamo Majola, who will play off the bench on Saturday.

In the other change to the starting lineup, Coenie Oosthuizen returns after missing last week’s victory over the Golden Lions due to injury.

With Curwin Bosch still struggling with injury, last weekend’s debutant, Boeta Chamberlain, retains his place in the starting lineup. On the bench, there is another potential debut as former Kings flank Andisa Ntsila will provide loose-forward backup.

Sharks – 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Kobus van Wyk, 13 Jeremy Ward (c-c), 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Lwazi Mvovo, 10 Boeta Chamberlain, 9 Sanele Nohamba, 8 Tera Mtembu (c-c), 7 Jacques Vermeulen, 6 Phepsi Buthelezi, 5 Hyron Andrews, 4 Ruben van Heerden, 3 Coenie Oosthuizen, 2 Kerron van Vuuren, 1 Thomas du Toit.
Subs: 16 Dylan Richardson, 17 Mzamo Majola, 18 John-Hubert Meyer, 19 Gideon Koegelenberg, 20 Andisa Ntsila, 21 Cameron Wright, 22 Rhyno Smith, 23 JP Pietersen.

Photo: Steve Haag/Gallo Images