Hewitt cleared for changed Sharks
The Sharks have made a number of changes to the team that will take on the Free State Cheetahs in a Currie Cup encounter at Kings Park on Saturday.
Although the starting XV was finalised earlier in the week, the Sharks were waiting on the fitness test of a few players.
Lock Edwin Hewitt, who was struggling with flu, has been cleared and will take his spot on the bench.
As reported by this website earlier this week, the Sharks coaches decided to give captain Jacques Botes, flank Jean Deysel and utility back Louis Ludik a rest.
"They have played every minute of the Currie Cup [competition] so far," assistant coach Sean Everitt said.
With Marcell Coetzee back from the Springboks, he will slot in at No.6.
"Marcell is a very fit and enthusiastic young man, he has a lot of energy and brings a lot of energy to the team," Everitt said.
"Despite flying into Durban late on Sunday, he was at rehab training first thing on Monday. He hasn't shown any signs of fatigue, he's got through both training sessions very well, so we expect him to give of his best."
Lubabalo Mtembu will start at No.7 and Keegan Daniel will move to No.8. Daniel also takes over the captaincy armband. Peet Marais will start at lock.
They have also brought Heimar Williams in at inside centre and moved Tim Whitehead to No.13. Odwa Ndungane has recovered from his hamstring strain and he will start on the right wing.
There is the continued rotation at flyhalf, with Fred Zeilinga starting ahead of Andrew James
"It's good that Heimar has another opportunity because he did really well in the games he played," the backline coach said.
"He was one of the top performers in the backline in those games. On the other hand, Louis Ludik has done exceptionally well, playing out of position at No.13. Louis is always very accurate in what he does; he gives of his best at all times. So it is a nice opportunity for him to have a break and it's also good that we can have a look at other combinations that may carry the can for us in the future."
Sharks – confirmed: 15 SP Marais, 14 Odwa Ndungane, 13 Tim Whitehead, 12 Heimar Williams, 11 Lwazi Mvovo, 10 Fred Zeilinga, 9 Charl McLeod, 8 Keegan Daniel (captain), 7 Lubabalo Mtembu, 6 Marcell Coetzee, 5 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 4 Peet Marais, 3 Wiehahn Herbst, 2 Kyle Cooper, 1 Dale Chadwick.
Replacements: 16 Monde Hadebe, 17 Rayno Gerber, 18 Edwin Hewitt, 19 Brynard Stander, 20 Cobus Reinach, 21 Andrew James, 22 Jaco van Tonder.
Date: Saturday, September 21
Venue: Kings Park, Durban
Kick-off: 15.00 (13.00 GMT)
Referee: Marius Jonker
Assistant referees: Tiaan Jonker, Reuben Rossouw
TMO: Deon van Blommestein
