Bok prop boost for Sharks

 

Springbok prop duo of Jannie du Plessis and Tendai Mtawarira return after a rest last week as part of the agreement with the Springboks to provide regular breaks to their players.

 

Marco Wentzel retains the captaincy of a side that will look to build from the positives they took out of their clash with the Lions.

 

The backline remains unchanged.

 

With just four points separating the top four sides in the South African conference, this game takes on an interesting hue as the competition hits the second half of the regular season. 

 

This match also marks the the 10th game in a row for the Sharks, who will be the only side yet to enjoy a bye after this weekend, although they enjoy a break next weekend ahead of their four match overseas trip.

 

With the prospect of the Highlanders and Hurricanes in New Zealand, and the Waratahs and Reds in Australia, before returning to Durban for two final home games, Saturday’s derby against the Bulls comes at a vital time for the Sharks.

 

Sharks: 15 Odwa Ndungane, 14 Sibusiso Sithole, 13 Waylon Murray, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Lwazi Mvovo, 10 Fred Zeilinga, 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Renaldo Bothma, 7 Willem Alberts, 6 Marcell Coetzee, 5 Marco Wentzel (captain), 4 Mouritz Botha, 3 Jannie du Plessis, 2 Franco Marais, 1 Tendai Mtawarira.  

Replacements: 16 Monde Hadebe, 17 Thomas du Toit, 18 Lourens Adriaanse, 19 Lubabalo Mtyanda, 20 Etienne Oosthuizen, 21 Conrad Hoffmann, 22 Lionel Cronje, 23 SP Marais.