Deysel gets the half-ton call
Springbok Jean Deysel will win his 50 Currie Cup cap for the Sharks in Saturday's semifinal, when they host the Blue Bulls in Durban.
He is one of a dozen Boks that are featured in the Sharks matchday 22.
The selection that will raise eyebrows is the decision to leave Boks Craig Burden and Tendai Mtawarira on the bench.
In changes to last week's side JP Pietersen shifts to the right wing in place of fellow Bok Odwa Ndungane, who picked up an ankle injury against Griquas and failed a late fitness test.
Jacques Botes, another player under an injury cloud with a troublesome back, also failed to make it through and will miss out this week.
The third player facing a late decision was Steven Sykes who has been bracketed in with Peet Marais on the bench.
After playing off the bench last weekend, the Springbok duo of Lwazi Mvovo and Jannie du Plessis start this week, while Mtawarira and Alberts, who were rested last week following their heavy workload in the Rugby Championship, have been recalled and will feature off the bench.
Coach John Plumtree has named a bench that will feature five forwards and just two backs.
"We're starting Jannie [du Plessis], it's a big game and he had some Currie Cup action last week,” Plumtree said.
"He'll be partnered by Dale Chadwick and Kyle Cooper, and then we have a whole front row on the bench with Craig [Burden], Beast [Tendai Mtawarira and Wiehahn Herbst.
"It could be wet and having Willem Alberts and someone with experience like Steven Sykes on the bench will be important because how we finish the game off could be vital.
"There were a lot of choices, but I don't think we could ignore what the guys have achieved without the guys who are now back. And we also couldn't ignore the importance of experience.
"Everyone is just really excited.”
Sharks: 15 Louis Ludik, 14 JP Pietersen, 13 Paul Jordaan, 12 Tim Whitehead, 11 Lwazi Mvovo, 10 Pat Lambie, 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Keegan Daniel (captain), 7 Jean Deysel, 6 Marcell Coetzee, 5 Anton Bresler, 4 Jandré Marais, 3 Jannie du Plessis, 2 Kyle Cooper, 1 Dale Chadwick.
Replacements: 16 Craig Burden, 17 Tendai Mtawarira, 18 Wiehahn Herbst, 19 Steven Sykes/Peet Marais, 20 Willem Alberts, 21 Charl McLeod, 22 Meyer Bosman.
Date: Saturday, October 20
Venue: Kings Park, Durban
Kick-off: 16.30 (14.30 GMT)
Referee: Mark Lawrence
Assistant referees: Jason Jaftha, Christie du Preez
TMO: Shaun Veldsman
