Ox Nche will return to start for the Sharks in their Vodacom United Rugby Championship match against Edinburgh in Durban on Saturday evening, but the home side will be without the injured Aphelele Fassi.

A win over fifth-placed Edinburgh would have the Sharks leapfrog the Scottish outfit, taking them to within one victory of the top four – all of whom have played an extra game.

The Sharks will be looking to take the momentum of the four bonus-point victories on the trot into this match against a side with a similar record.

As expected after a run of such good form,  Sharks head coach Sean Everitt has largely stuck with the same starting lineup as last week bar two changes.

Springbok loosehead prop Nche is welcomed back after missing last week’s game against Zebre. As a result, his understudy Ntuthuko Mchunu reverts to the bench.

The second change comes at fullback as Fassi has been ruled out of the match after suffering an ankle injury against Zebre. He is replaced in the starting lineup by Anthony Volmink.

There is one further alteration to the bench as Everitt has opted for a six-two split between forwards and backs, calling up Currie Cup captain James Venter to bolster the forwards stocks.

Sharks – 15 Anthony Volmink, 14 Werner Kok, 13 Ben Tapuai, 12 Marius Louw, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Curwin Bosch, 9 Grant Williams, 8 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 7 Henco Venter, 6 Siya Kolisi (c), 5 Reniel Hugo, 4 Gerbrandt Grobler, 3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Ox Nche.
Subs: 16 Kerron van Vuuren, 17 Ntuthuko Mchunu, 18 Khuta Mchunu, 19 Le Roux Roets, 20 Phepsi Buthelezi, 21 James Venter, 22 Jaden Hendrikse, 23 Boeta Chamberlain.

Photo: Gerhard Duraan/BackpagePix