Reniel Hugo will lead the Sharks into battle in a home Currie Cup fixture against title holders the Pumas in Durban on Friday.
The defending Currie Cup champions come to Durban off the back of a successful season so far, continuing their good form of last year when they won the domestic title for the first time. They have won all four of their fixtures to date and come to Durban off the back of an impressive 61-21 victory over the Free State Cheetahs last weekend.
The Sharks, currently in fourth position on the eight-team table, will be looking for a strong showing on Friday evening. They were impressive in their first half effort against the Lions last weekend and the previous round put one over their coastal rivals, DHL Western Province.
Joey Mongalo has made a number of changes to his team this week, starting with Dian Bleuler replacing Khwezi Mona in the front row and then lock Ockie Barnard coming in for Corne Rahl who shifts to the flank in place of Jeandre Labuschagne in the final change to the pack.
Amongst the backs, Tiaan Fourie makes a start after playing off the bench, replacing Bradley Davids at scrumhalf while Anothony Volmink comes in on the wing with Marnus Potgieter playing at outside centre and Murray Koster taking over from the injured Francois Venter at inside centre.
Nevaldo Fleurs is in for Yaw Penxe at fullback is the final change to the starting XV. The experienced lock Hugo leads the team in this clash.
Sharks – 15 Nevaldo Fleurs, 14 Phikolomzi Sobahle, 13 Marnus Potgieter, 12 Murray Koster, 11 Anthony Volmink, 10 Fred Zeilinga, 9 Tiaan Fourie, 8 James Venter, 7 Corne Rahl, 6 Thembelani Bholi, 5 Reniel Hugo (c), 4 Ockie Barnard, 3 Khutha Mchunu, 2 Fez Mbatha, 1 Dian Bleuler.
Subs: 16 Dameon Venter, 17 Khwezi Mona, 18 Weihahn Herbst, 19 Marco de Witt, 20 Tinotenda Mavesere, 21 Zee Mkhabela, 22 Lionel Cronje, 23 Josh Jonas.
Photo: Gerhard Duraan/BackpagePix