Coetzee boost for Sharks
Sharks Director of Rugby Jake White made just one change to his team for the Super Rugby crunch encounter with the Stormers on Saturday.
The return of Springbok loose forward Marcell Coetzee at flank, in place of veteran Jacques Botes, is the only change to the team that beat the Blues in Albany last week.
Coetzee has recovered from the shoulder injury in the opening match of the Sharks' Australasian tour, against the Rebels, and will resume his push for a starting spot as an openside player in the Springbok team.
He was in sublime form before the tour-ending setback, but his return could not have come at a better time for the table-topping Sharks.
The other noteworthy selection sees utility back Frans Steyn retained at flyhalf, despite confirmation that he is struggling with a chronic knee dysfunction.
While the Sharks have been careful to manage the World Cup-winning Bok's injury, there is a risk it could blow up and cost him a place in the June Tests – against a World XV (Newlands, June 7), Wales (Durban, June 14 and Nelspruit , June 21) and Scotland (Port Elizabeth, June 28).
The injury of fellow Bok Patrick Lambie has forced White's hand and Steyn has been hanging it tough to help the Sharks cement first place in the standings.
Another win at this stage would prove hugely valuable to their title aspirations, although the coach readily acknowledges that the Stormers are a much better prospect than their log position suggestions.
Last week they prevented the Cheetahs from scoring a solitary point, which is a rare enough achievement.
Sharks: 15 SP Marais, 14 JP Pietersen, 13 Sibusiso Sithole, 12 Paul Jordaan, 11 Lwazi Mvovo, 10 Francois Steyn, 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Willem Alberts, 7 Lubabalo Mtembu, 6 Marcell Coetzee, 5 Stephan Lewies, 4 Etienne Oosthuizen, 3 Jannie du Plessis, 2 Bismarck du Plessis (captain), 1 Tendai Mtawarira.
Replacements: 16 Kyle Cooper, 17 Dale Chadwick, 18 Lourens Adriaanse, 19 Ryan Kankowski, 20 Keegan Daniel, 21 Charl McLeod, 22 Tim Swiel, 23 Heimar Williams.
Date: Saturday, May 31
Venue: Kings Park, Durban
Kick-off: 19.10 (17.10 GMT)
Referee: Jaco Peyper
Assistant referees: Stuart Berry, Stefan Breytenbach
TMO: Johan Greeff
