Sharks coach Sean Everitt has named a match-day squad with just one change to face the Vodacom Bulls in the Currie Cup final in Pretoria on Saturday.
Everitt has been able to name the same match-day 23 that faced Western Province in the semi-finals at Newlands last Saturday.
The team features only one rotational change as Jaden Hendrikse gets the nod to start at scrumhalf ahead of Sanele Nohamba, who was substituted at half time against Western Province.
Hendrikse has mostly been utilised off the bench this season, but made an excellent impact when called upon in the second half of last week’s semi-final.
For eighthman Sikhumbuzo Notshe, playing in the final marks a momentous achievement for the Sharks.
‘We’re thrilled to have secured a place in the final but we accept that we have a massive assignment at Loftus on Saturday afternoon,’ Notshe said.
‘It’s an assignment we’re really excited about, especially as not a lot of players in our squad have been in finals, so this is a very special occasion.
‘I must compliment our pack for the resilience and energy they showed last week, but we know we’re up against a very mean Bulls pack and we’ll need more of that effort this Saturday.’
Sharks – 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Sbu Nkosi, 13 Lukhanyo Am (c), 12 Marius Louw, 11 Yaw Penxe, 10 Curwin Bosch, 9 Jaden Hendrikse, 8 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 7 Henco Venter, 6 Dylan Richardson 5 Ruben van Heerden, 4 JJ van Mescht, 3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Fezokuhle Mbatha, 1 Ox Nche.
Subs: 16 Dan Jooste, 17 Mzamo Majola, 18 Michael Kumbirai, 19 Hyron Andrews, 20 Thembelani Bholi, 21 Sanele Nohamba, 22 Jeremy Ward, 23 Manie Libbok.
Photo: Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images
