Sharks coach Sean Everitt has made six changes to his starting XV for their crucial Currie Cup clash against Griquas in Durban on Saturday.

There are only two changes in the backline, where fullback Aphelele Fassi and wing Werner Kok replace Manie Libbok and Sbu Nkosi.

The other alterations are up front, where hooker Fezokhule Mbatha, prop Michael Kumbirai and lock JJ van der Mescht are all given starts in the tight five in place of Kerron van Vuuren, John Hubert-Meyer and Aston Fortuin.

In the back row, Thembelani Bholi comes into the starting lineup at the expense of Dylan Richardson.

New additions to the bench are Dan Jooste, Hanro Jacobs, Sanele Nohamba and Anthony Volmink.

‘We’ve struggled with consistency in our selection due to Covid-19 protocols and with injuries, it’s not ideal changing your team week after week and we’re losing important people as we go along,’ Everitt explained.

‘But that’s a problem all the teams are facing. It’s been frustrating, winning certain aspects of the game like territory and possession, line breaks, the gainline battle, but we’ve struggled in the set-piece and individual skill error,’ he added.

‘It’s going to be a physical battle against Griquas – as always. We know what we’re going to get from the Griquas, they’ll be fired up but we’re a determined group. We’ve set ourselves goals and high standards and I expect our team to bounce back and do well this weekend.’

Sharks – 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Werner Kok, 13 Lukhanyo Am (c), 12 Jeremy Ward, 11 Yaw Penxe, 10 Curwin Bosch, 9 Jaden Hendrikse, 8 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 7 Thembelani Bholi, 6 Henco Venter, 5 Ruben van Heerden,  4 JJ van Mescht, 3 Michael Kumbirai, 2 Fezokuhle Mbatha, 1 Ox Nche.
Subs: 16 Dan Jooste, 17 Khwezi Mona, 18 Hanru Jacobs, 19 Aston Fortuin, 20 Dylan Richardson, 21 Sanele Nohamba, 22 Manie Libbok, 23 Anthony Volmink.

Photo: Steve Haag/Gallo Images