Assistant coach JP Pietersen supports a “motivated” Sanele Nohamba to reclaim his status as the Sharks’ starting scrumhalf.

Nohamba will start his first game of the season when the Durbanites travel to Mpumalanga to take on the Pumas in a Currie Cup clash on Friday.

The 23-year-old has played off the bench in all three the Sharks’ matches so far in the competition, with Cameron Wright the preferred starting scrumhalf.

However, Nohamba will get his chance on Friday as the Sharks look to continue their unbeaten start against a tough Pumas team.

“He’s been training well, but what will motivate Nohamba is that he was the No 1 scrumhalf [at the Sharks] and that’s the biggest motivational factor for him,” Pietersen said.

“He knows he can be No 1 again and he’s now got a massive opportunity to showcase what he can do.

“There’s nothing major that has changed. It’s the consistency and when you’re lacking game time, that’s what happens. He’s got a good opportunity to showcase what he can do.”