The Sharks team to take on Benetton in a pivotal Vodacom United Rugby Championship match at Kings Park on Friday features just one change from the side that played in the final eight of the Champions Cup.
Rohan Janse van Rensburg had to be stretchered off in the Champions Cup quarter-final showdown with Toulouse last weekend and has not been cleared to play on Friday.
In his place comes Australian international Ben Tapuai, with Marnus Potgieter coming onto the bench in the only change to the matchday 23.
Currently in eighth position, the Sharks must fight off a late challenge from the Italians who are one place lower on the overall log and a point behind.
With two rounds remaining – the Sharks host Munster next weekend, the team they defeated in the Champions Cup round of 16 a fortnight ago – the race for final places in the top eight has reached fever pitch and the pressure is on everyone to finish as high up as possible, or indeed, make the top eight and entry into the knock-outs.
Benetton have had a mixed bag of results, losing to the Lions in their last match, but have beaten Ulster as well, losing the other three of their previous five games this year.
Sharks – 15 Boeta Chamberlain, 14 Werner Kok, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 Ben Tapuai, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Curwin Bosch, 9 Grant Williams, 8 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 7 Vincent Tshituka, 6 Siya Kolisi (c), 5 Gerbrandt Grobler, 4 Hyron Andrews, 3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Ox Nche.
Subs: 16 Kerron van Vuuren, 17 Ntuthuko Mchunu, 18 Carlu Sadie, 19 Jeandre Labuschagne, 20 Phepsi Buthelezi, 21 Cameron Wright, 22 Marnus Potgieter, 23 Thaakir Abrahams.
Photo: ©INPHO/Tom Maher