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Du Toit at loosehead for Sharks

Du Toit believes that his physique is better suited to anchoring the scrum, although he wasn't out of place at loosehead prop.

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"I enjoyed loosehead but to shift to the other side of the scrum offers new possibilities and I am loving the challenge of learning what it takes to make it in this position," du Toit said on the Sharks website just over a fortnight ago.

Du Toit has been playing tighthead since his school days, however his selection at loosehead this week means that he is still being used as a utility prop much like Springboks Coenie Oosthuizen and Trevor Nyakane.Du Toit at loosehead for Sharks

The other change in the forwards sees Jean-Luc du Preez in for injured twin Daniel on the flank. 

In the backline, Joe Pietersen shifts from fullback to flyhalf – a position he played predominantly for at the Cheetahs during Super Rugby.

Odwa Ndungane has regained his fitness and returns to action to take up the No.15 position.

Sharks coach Gary Gold is still without the services of Lourens Adriaanse, Khaya Majola, Jean Deysel, Daniel du Preez, JC Astle and SP Marais through injury.

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Just two points separate the two teams on the log, both with three wins apiece. For the team that enjoys victory in this massive derby, third place on the log is the carrot that dangles.

Both sides come into this match off the back of a win last weekend – the Sharks over the Pumas and Province over Griquas – but both sides are looking for big performances on Saturday.

Sharks: 15 Odwa Ndungane, 14 Wandile Mjekevu, 13 Paul Jordaan, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Sibusiso Sithole, 10 Joe Pietersen, 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Philip van der Walt, 7 Jean-Luc du Preez, 6 Francois Kleinhans, 5 Marco Wentzel (captain), 4 Etienne Oosthuizen, 3 Gerhard Engelbrecht, 2 Monde Hadebe, 1 Thomas du Toit.

Replacements: 16 Franco Marais, 17 Dale Chadwick, 18 Dave McDuling, 19 Christiaan de Bruyn, 20 Michael Claassens, 21 Heimar Williams, 22 Garth April.

Date: Saturday, September 12

Venue: Kings Park, Durban

Kick-off: 17.05 (15.05 GMT)

Referee: Marius van der Westhuizen

Assistant referees: Craig Joubert, Jason Jaftha

TMO: Marius Jonker

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