Esterhuizen gets his shot in midfield

 

Director of Rugby Gary Gold has made just two changes to the team for this Saturday’s clash, Kankowski, now back from Japan and fully integrated back into the team, comes in for Lubabalo Mtembu in the only change to the forward pack that was so effective against the Lions last weekend.

Likewise, there is just one change to the backline, Esterhuizen replaces Heimar Williams, again in a rotational change after two games.

 

New Zealander Jack Wilson has been named amongst the replacements and is primed and ready to make his debut off the bench.

 

The Sharks were in a determined mood against the Lions after losing their opening clash to the Cheetahs at Kings Park, and put on a performance they could be proud of.

 

“What is ideal is that we put in a better performance against the Lions after losing to the Cheetahs,” says assistant coach Paul Anthony. 

 

“We want our players to be accountable for how they perform.

 

“Without a doubt the players felt accountable after the Cheetahs loss. But they all lifted their performances markedly and we’re hoping to lift it even more, game after game.”

 

Sharks: 15 SP Marais, 14 Odwa Ndungane, 13 Waylon Murray, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Lwazi Mvovo, 10 Patrick Lambie, 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Ryan Kankowski, 7 Renaldo Bothma, 6 Marcell Coetzee, 5 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 4 Lubabalo Mtyanda, 3 Jannie du Plessis, 2 Bismarck du Plessis (captain), 1 Dale Chadwick.

Replacements: 16 Kyle Cooper, 17 Thomas du Toit, 18 Lourens Adriaanse, 19 Marco Wentzel, 20 Jean Deysel, 21 Conrad Hoffmann, 22 Fred Zeilinga/Lionel Cronje, 23 Jack Wilson.

 

Date: Saturday, February 28

Venue: Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria

Kick-off: 17.05 (15.05 GMT)

Referee: Jaco van Heerden (South Africa)

Assistant referees: Rohan Hoffmann (Australia), Ben Crouse (South Africa)

TMO: Johan Greeff (South Africa)