John Plumtree has made just two changes to his starting lineup as the Sharks travel to Bloemfontein to face the Cheetahs in a second-round Challenge Cup clash.

The Sharks have stuck with most of the matchday-23 that did duty in the opening-round 45-5 victory over French side Pau in Durban last weekend.

Plumtree has made one change each in the pack and backline for Sunday afternoon’s match.

Corne Rahl shifts to the bench to accommodate Le Roux Roets, who gets his first start after the giant lock made his long-awaited return from injury last week.

The only other change comes on the wing where Werner Kok has been cleared to start and takes over from Marnus Potgieter.

Young Ethan Hooker gets another chance to impress after a strong showing in his team’s six try to one drubbing of Pau last week. The SA U20 centre who hasn’t yet turned 21 featured prominently for the Sharks U20, captaining the side to the SA Rugby U20 Cup title earlier this year.

Sharks — 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Werner Kok, 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 Le Roux Roets, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Coenie Oosthuizen, 2 Kerron van Vuuren, 1 Ox Nche.
Subs: 16 Dan Jooste, 17 Ntuthuko Mchunu, 18 Hanro Jacobs, 19 Corne Rahl, 20 Jeandre Labuschagne, 21 Jaden Hendrikse, 22 Lionel Cronje, 23 Ethan Hooker.