Head coach Joey Mongalo has made three personnel and one rotational change to the Sharks side to face Griquas in the Currie Cup on Saturday.
The Sharks kick off the second half of their campaign in the competition when they host the men from Kimberley at Kings Park this weekend.
Both sides come off important wins last weekend and in the fight for log positions – the Sharks are currently third, while Griquas occupy fourth place – and the result of this week’s game in Durban has a big implication on both sides’ seasons.
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In the pack, Kerron van Vuuren replaces Fez Mbatha at hooker, while Ockie Barnard moves into Corne Rahl’s position, with Reniel Hugo partnering him at lock and Thembelani Bholi in for James Venter on the flank.
The backline remains intact aside from a change at fullback, where Thaakir Abrahams comes in for Nevaldo Fleurs.
“They speak about the price of success and this week we lose a couple of our core players to the senior team for the Vodacom United Rugby Championship, but we’re here to serve the flagship team,” Mongalo said.
“Losing four of your starting 15 naturally results in a number of changes to the team and we start from ground zero again, but hopefully the positive energy from the win against Free State will help us through those changes and that we do more of the same this week.
“We have a pretty decent record at home and we hope to continue that. We love the people of Durban, they’re good to us, they support us passionately and we want to play in a way that those coming to watch us feel that they’re seeing effort, attitude and an organised, well-coached team of players, willing to put in the kind of effort that honours the jersey.”
Sharks – 15 Thaakir Abrahams, 14 Yaw Penxe, 13 Josh Jonas, 12 Alwayno Visagie, 11 Marnus Potgieter, 10 Lionel Cronje, 9 Bradley Davids, 8 Henco Venter, 7 Thembelani Bholi, 6 Tinotenda Mavesere, 5 Reniel Hugo (c), 4 Ockie Barnard, 3 Khutha Mchunu, 2 Kerron van Vuuren, 1 Khwezi Mona.
Subs: 16 Dan Jooste, 17 Dian Bleuler, 18 Hanro Jacobs, 19 Marco de Witt, 20 Damon Royle, 21 Tiaan Fourie, 22 Fred Zeilinga, 23 Murray Koster.
Photo: Dan Sheridan/INPHO/Shutterstock/BackpagePix