Lwazi Mvovo will start in one of five changes to the Sharks team for the match against the Blue Bulls in Pretoria on Saturday.
Mvovo, who has been released from the Springbok camp for the weekend's match, replaces Odwa Ndungane in the starting XV after the latter was ruled out through injury. The Sharks will field a completely new back three, with S'bura Sithole shifting to the wing and SP Marais replacing Tim Swiel at fullback. In the other change to the backline Paul Jordaan returns outside of André Esterhuizen, who enjoyed a promising debut against the Free State Cheetahs.
Meanwhile up front, lock JC Astle has recovered from a hamstring injury and will take the place of Stephan Lewies, who is struggling with an ongoing knee problem. The front row remains unchanged after both Matt Stevens and Thomas du Toit were ruled out through injury.
Franco Marais replaces Monde Hadebe on the bench, while Danie Mienie will provide further front row cover. Academy product Khaya Majola could make his Currie Cup debut on the flank, should he get onto the park.
Sharks – 15 SP Marais, 14 S’bura Sithole, 13 Paul Jordaan, 12 André Esterhuizen, 11 Lwazi Mvovo, 10 Lionel Cronjé, 9 Conrad Hoffmann, 8 Tera Mtembu (c), 7 Etienne Oosthuizen, 6 Jacques Botes, 5 Marco Wentzel, 4 JC Astle, 3 Lourens Adriaanse, 2 Kyle Cooper, 1 Dale Chadwick.
Subs: 16 Franco Marais, 17 Danie Mienie, 18 Johan Meyer, 19 Khaya Majola, 20 Cameron Wright, 21 Tim Swiel, 22 Tonderai Chavhanga.
Photo: Steve Haag/Gallo Images
