Rhyno Smith has replaced the injured Aphelele Fassi in the Sharks’ starting lineup for Saturday’s match against the Vodacom Bulls at Loftus.
Coach Robert du Preez has made four changes to his side.
Fassi has been ruled out with a concussion and his place has been taken by Smith, with Du Preez persisting with Curwin Bosch on the bench.
Jeremy Ward is also preferred at inside centre at the expense of André Esterhuizen, who drops to the bench.
The two changes to the pack see Gideon Koegelenberg replacing Ruan Botha at lock, with the uncapped Ruben van Heerden on the bench. Wian Vosloo comes in for Tyler Paul at flank. Jacques Vermeulen moves to the other side of the scrum to accommodate Vosloo.
Fezokuhle Mbatha is in line to make his Vodacom Super Rugby debut after he was selected as the backup hooker, while Grant Williams takes over from Cameron Wright as replacement scrumhalf.
Sharks – 15 Rhyno Smith, 14 Sb’u Nkosi, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 Jeremy Ward, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Rob du Preez, 9 Louis Schreuder (c), 8 Dan du Preez, 7 Jacques Vermeulen, 6 Wian Vosloo, 5 Hyron Andrews, 4 Gideon Koegelenberg, 3 Coenie Oosthuizen, 2 Akker van Merwe, 1 Tendai Mtawarira.
Subs: 16 Fezokhule Mbatha, 17 Juan Schoeman, 18 Thomas du Toit, 19 Ruben van Heerden, 20 Phendulani Buthelezi, 21 Grant Williams, 22 André Esterhuizen, 23 Curwin Bosch.
Photo: Steve Haag Sports
