Phepsi Buthelezi will take over the captaincy as the Sharks have rested the majority of their Springboks for the Vodacom United Rugby Championship clash against Edinburgh on Saturday.
Sharks director of Rugby Neil Powell has made five changes to last week’s starting lineup that took on Harlequins in the final Champions Cup pool match in London.
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The Springbok contingent of Eben Etzebeth, Siya Kolisi, Jaden Hendrikse and Lukhanyo Am have been rested, giving Buthelezi an opportunity to lead the Sharks out in Scotland’s capital on Saturday night.
The Sharks have still been able to call upon Bok props Ox Nche and Thomas du Toit, as well as Aphelele Fassi, who made his first start of the year against Harlequins after recovering from injury.
As a result of the resting protocol, the Sharks have brought in Hyron Andrews and the Venter duo of James and Henco (who comes in for Vincent Tshituka).
There are two backline changes, as Grant Williams comes in for Hendrikse at scrumhalf and Francois Venter takes over from Am in midfield, where he partners Ben Tapuai.
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Sharks – 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Marnus Potgieter, 13 Francois Venter, 12 Ben Tapuai, 11 Thaakir Abrahams, 10 Curwin Bosch, 9 Grant Williams, 8 Phepsi Buthelezi (c), 7 Henco Venter, 6 James Venter, 5 Gerbrandt Grobler, 4 Hyron Andrews, 3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Kerron van Vuuren, 1 Ox Nche.
Subs: 16 Dan Jooste, 17 Ntuthuko Mchunu, 18 Carlü Sadie, 19 Reniel Hugo, 20 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 21 Cameron Wright, 22 Lionel Cronje, 23 Yaw Penxe.
Photo: Steve Haag Sports/INPHO/Shutterstock/BackpagePix