Chavhanga in Sharks debut
Forgotten Springbok Tonderai Chavhanga will make his first Super Rugby appearance for the Sharks when they face the Cheetahs in Durban on Saturday.
The inclusion of Chavhanga is one of two injury enforced changes to the backline, with another rotational change among the forwards.
Veteran Bok Odwa Ndungane's shoulder injury, sustained in the win over the Lions last week, opened the door for Chavhanga – who has been getting game time for the Sharks XV in the Vodacom Cup.
Chavhanga, who moved to Durban on a trial basis this year, missed the early stages of the season as a result of injury and has slowly worked his way back to full fitness to make his first Super Rugby appearance for the Sharks.
Chavhanga's six tries on debut for the Springboks – against Uruguay at the Basil Kenyon Stadium in East London in June 2005 – remains a record.
He went on to play in four Tests for South Africa between 2005 and 2008.
The other change to the Sharks backline comes at flyhalf, where the injured Fred Zeilinga (hamstring) is replaced by Tim Swiel.
In a rotational switch another forgotten Bok, Keegan Daniel, will start at No.8 – with fellow international Ryan Kankowski getting a well-deserved breather, having started all seven of the Sharks' matches his season.
The final change comes on the bench, where Heimar Williams replaces Paul Jordaan.
Sharks: 15 Lwazi Mvovo, 14 Tonderai Chavhanga, 13 Sibusiso Sithole, 12 Frans Steyn, 11 JP Pietersen, 10 Tim Swiel, 9 Charl McLeod, 8 Keegan Daniel, 7 Jean Deysel, 6 Marcell Coetzee, 5 Stephan Lewies, 4 Willem Alberts, 3 Jannie du Plessis, 2 Bismarck du Plessis (captain), 1 Tendai Mtawarira.
Replacements: 16 Kyle Cooper, 17 Dale Chadwick, 18 Lourens Adriaanse, 19 Etienne Oosthuizen, 20 Ryan Kankowski, 21 Stefan Ungerer, 22 Heimar Williams, 23 SP Marais.
Date: Saturday, April 19
Venue: Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein
Kick-off: 15.00 (13.00 GMT)
Referee: Jaco Peyper (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Craig Joubert (South Africa), Marius Jonker (South Africa)
TMO: Deon van Blommenstein (South Africa)
