Eben Etzebeth is among the five Springboks who will return to action for the struggling Sharks in their Vodacom URC clash with Dragons on Saturday.

The injection of World Cup-winning Springboks back into the Sharks fold is a major boost for John Plumtree’s team for Saturday night’s match in Durban.

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Plumtree has welcomed back lock Etzebeth, scrumhalf Jaden Hendrikse, wing Makazole Mapimpi into the starting lineup alongside Lukhanyo Am, who takes on the captaincy duties after making his return last week. National teammates Ox Nche and Grant Williams will add firepower off the bench.

The other major change to the starting lineup sees Fez Mbatha return to action, taking over from Dylan Richardson at hooker after the Kearsney College old boy had to have surgery to his thumb, putting him out of action for approximately eight weeks.

The Sharks are on the hunt for their first win of the Vodacom URC season, having lost all five of their fixtures to date.

Sharks – 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Werner Kok, 13 Lukhanyo Am (c), 12 Francois Venter, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Curwin Bosch, 9 Jaden Hendrikse, 8 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 7 Phepsi Buthelezi, 6 James Venter, 5 Emile van Heerden, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Coenie Oosthuizen, 2 Fez Mbatha, 1 Ntuthuko Mchunu.
Subs: 16 Dan Jooste, 17 Ox Nche, 18 Hanro Jacobs, 19 Corne Rahl, 20 Jeandre Labuschagne, 21 Grant Williams, 22 Boeta Chamberlain, 23 Rohan Janse van Rensburg.

Photo: Steve Haag/Gallo Images