JD Schickerling will start at blindside flank for Western Province against the Sharks at Kings Park on Saturday.

In an otherwise unchanged starting lineup, Schickerling comes into Province’s loose trio following the injury-enforced absence of Juarno Augustus, who sustained a knock against the Vodacom Blue Bulls at Newlands last week. 

With Schickerling’s inclusion at No 7, Ernst van Rhyn shifts to openside flank and Jaco Coetzee moves to No 8. 

There are two changes to the bench, where David Meihuizen and Sikhumbuzo Notshe take the places of Schickerling and Chris Massyn, respectively. 

‘We would like to build on our performance last week and we know that we face a tough assignment against the defending champions,’ said coach John Dobson.

‘By keeping the combinations together we give ourselves the best chance of building some momentum and putting together an accurate game.’

Western Province – 15 SP Marais, 14 Edwill van der Merwe, 13 Ruhan Nel, 12 Dan Kriel, 11 Seabelo Senatla, 10 Jean-Luc du Plessis, 9 Justin Phillips, 8 Jaco Coetzee, 7 JD Schickerling, 6 Ernst van Rhyn, 5 Chris van Zyl (c), 4 Salmaan Moerat, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Scarra Ntubeni, 1 Corne Fourie.
Subs: 16 Chad Solomon, 17 Kwenzo Blose, 18 Carlu Sadie, 19 David Meihuizen, 20 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 21 Godlen Masimla, 22 Josh Stander, 23 Craig Barry.

Photo: Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images