Curwin Bosch will start at flyhalf for the Sharks in their Currie Cup opener against the Pumas in Nelspruit on Friday.
The Junior Bok, who can also play fullback, will make his Currie Cup debut, with veteran scrumhalf Michael Claassens on his inside.
Lukhanyo Am, who represented the Kings in Super Rugby, will make his Sharks debut at outside centre with André Esterhuizen on his inside. Odwa Ndungane will start at fullback.
'Starting this campaign on a positive note is a priority for us. I said at the outset that bringing our fans back is something I am passionate about, and by playing a brand of rugby that is entertaining, but also brings us results, is what we intend to do,' said coach Robert du Preez.
'The Pumas can never be taken lightly and we know they will be up for the challenge on Friday. We have a good mixture of youth and experience, and everyone is keen to get our campaign underway.'
Meanwhile, Francois Brummer, who represented the Bulls in this year's Super Rugby competition, will start at flyhalf for the Pumas. He is one four former Griquas players alongside Carel Greeff, Hugo Kloppers and Wiehan Hay to debut for the Pumas in the Premier Division.
Sharks – 15 Odwa Ndungane, 14 Neil Maritz, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 André Esterhuizen, 11 S'bura Sithole, 10 Curwin Bosch, 9 Michael Claassens, 8 Philip van der Walt, 7 Jean-Luc du Preez, 6 Keegan Daniel (c), 5 Stephan Lewies, 4 Etienne Oosthuizen, 3 Lourens Adriaanse, 2 Franco Marais, 1 Dale Chadwick.
Subs: 16 Chiliboy Ralepelle, 17 Thomas du Toit, 18 Ruan Botha, 19 Tera Mtembu, 20 Stefan Ungerer, 21 Inny Radebe, 22 Heimar Williams.
Pumas – 15 Justin van Staden, 14 JP Lewis, 13 Hennie Skorbinski, 12 Marlou van Niekerk, 11 Marcello Sampson, 10 Francois Brummer, 9 Reynier van Rooyen, 8 Carel Greeff, 7 Lambert Groenewald, 6 Brian Shabangu/Marnus Schoeman, 5 Hugo Kloppers (c), 4 Stephan Greeff, 3 Dee-Jay Terblanche, 2 Frankie Herne, 1 Kwezi Mona.
Subs: 16 Swys du Toit, 17 Yskas Kotzé, 18 Wiehan Hay,19 Brian Shabangu/Marnus Schoeman, 20 Emile Temperman, 21 Devon Williams, 22 Deon Helberg.
Photo: Steve Haag/Gallo Images
