The inclusion of Lionel Cronje is one of 11 personnel changes to the Sharks’ starting lineup for their second match against the British & Irish Lions at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.
In the wake of the Sharks’ 54-7 defeat to the tourists, coach Sean Everitt has only retained four players from the starting team that played on Wednesday. The survivors are Werner Kok, Thaakir Abrahams, Jaden Hendrikse and captain Phepsi Buthelezi.
Ntuthuko Mchunu, Kerron van Vuuren and Wiehahn Herbst will pack down as the all-new front row, with Le Roux Roets and Reniel Hugo forming the second row. Flanks Dylan Richardson and Mpilo Gumede make up the seven changes to the pack, with Buthelezi retained at the base of the scrum.
The vastly experienced Cronje comes in at flyhalf with Murray Koster and Kok making up the centre pairing.
The final two changes see Marnus Potgieter named on the wing and Anthony Volmink taking over at fullback.
Everitt has named an extended bench, which will be cut before the game.
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Sharks (for B&I Lions) – 15 Anthony Volmink, 14 Marnus Potgieter, 13 Werner Kok, 12 Marray Koster, 11 Thaakir Abrahams, 10 Lionel Cronje, 9 Jaden Hendrikse, 8 Phepsi Buthelezi (c), 7 Mpilo Gumede, 6 Dylan Richardson 5 Reniel Hugo, 4 Le Roux Roets, 3 Wiehahn Herbst, 2 Kerron van Vuuren, 1 Nthuthuko Mchunu.
Subs: 16 Dan Jooste, 17 MJ Majola, 18 Khutha Mchunu, 19 Thembelani Bholi, 20 Jeandre Labuschagne, 21 Cameron Wright, 22 Boeta Chamberlain, 23 Jeremy Ward, 24 Lourens Adriaanse, 25 Rynhardt Jonker, 26 Curwin Bosch.
Photo: Gallo Images
