Head coach Joey Mongalo has made minimal changes to the Sharks lineup to duel the Lions in the Currie Cup in Johannesburg on Saturday.
In the only alteration to the pack, loose forward Jeandre Labuschagne comes into the match-day XV, with Thembelani Bholi shifting to No 8 in place of Henco Venter at Ellis Park.
Alwayno Visagie, who played off the bench in last week’s win against Western Province, will get a start, replacing the injured Marnus Potgieter on the wing in the only other change.
“It was a good win for us, to help us build that cohesion,” Mongalo reflected on the 20-7 victory over WP in Durban.
MORE: Bok wing linked with Stormers move
“It was a big win for us and if you take it in the context of where Western Province and Stormers rugby is at the moment, for us to win was massive for our confidence and having faith in our individual ability as well as faith as a group and what we’re trying to build and the memories we’re trying to create together.
“So, it was good affirmation for us as a group but now our focus shifts to the Lions who are well-coached, we have a lot of respect for them as a team. They’ve done well, they showed a lot of character to fight back against the Griffons in their last game.
“The Lions play with a lot of pride at home and we have no illusions about the challenge that lies ahead for us.
“For us, it’s another opportunity to build the ideals we have for this team and where we think it can go and we’re hoping to see more cohesion for longer periods of time, that remains the theme. To just keep getting better.”
Sharks – 15 Yaw Penxe, 14 Phikolomzi Sobahle, 13 Murray Koster (c), 12 Francois Venter, 11 Alwayno Visagie, 10 Fred Zeilinga, 9 Bradley Davids, 8 Thembelani Bholi, 7 Jeandre Labuschagne, 6 James Venter, 5 Reniel Hugo, 4 Corne Rahl, 3 Khutha Mchunu, 2 Fez Mbatha, 1 Khwezi Mona.
Subs: 16 Masikane Mazwi, 17 Dian Bleuler, 18 Devon Martinus, 19 Hyron Andrews, 20 Damon Royle, 21 Tiaan Fourie, 22 Lionel Cronje, 23 Luyanda Mkhize.
Picks: @mark_keohane and Zels are both backing the Sharks to beat Munster in the Champions Cup but differ on the margin of victory. pic.twitter.com/dj5L9NXwzz
— SA Rugby magazine (@SARugbymag) March 30, 2023
Photo: @Springboks/Twitter