The Sharks have been bolstered by the return of key forwards in their Challenge Cup debut against French side Pau in Durban on Saturday.

In changes from last week’s side that played in the Vodacom URC, Ox Nche starts, swapping jerseys with Ntuthuko Mchunu who has carried a heavy workload over the past two months while Kerron van Vuuren returns at hooker.

The Sharks’ second-row stocks are up with the return of Le Roux Roets to the team after a long-term injury, where the big imposing player will add value off the bench. Also back from injury is Corne Rahl, who was a late withdrawal from the team that lost to the Vodacom Bulls.

The loose forward trio of James Venter, Phepsi Buthelezi and Sikhumbuzo Notshe remains in place, while the Springbok scrumhalf duo of Grant Williams and Jaden Hendrikse swap jerseys.  In the final change, Marnus Potgieter returns to action in place of Aphiwe Dyantyi on the wing.

Junior Springbok centre Ethan Hooker could make his tournament debut for the Sharks, if he is called on from the bench.

Sharks — 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Marnus Potgieter, 13 Lukhanyo Am (c), 12 Francois Venter, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Curwin Bosch, 9 Grant Williams, 8 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 7 Phepsi Buthelezi, 6 James Venter, 5 Corne Rahl, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Coenie Oosthuizen, 2 Kerron van Vuuren, 1 Ox Nche.
Subs: 16 Dan Jooste, 17 Ntuthuko Mchunu, 18 Hanro Jacobs, 19 Le Roux Roets, 20 Jeandre Labuschagne, 21 Jaden Hendrikse, 22 Lionel Cronje, 23 Ethan Hooker.

Photo: Steve Haag Sports/Gallo Images