Pietersen returns to centre

The Sharks have lost centre Paul Jordaan and lock Pieter-Steph du Toit to the South African Under-20 side, which has prompted the move to put JP Pietersen back at outside centre.

 

Pietersen performed admirably in the No.13 jersey in the early part of the season, but has looked far more comfortable back out on the right wing.

 

Odwa Ndungane comes back into the side on the wing, while Pat Lambie will start at fullback for the second week in a row.

 

Another promising youngster Jandre Marais comes back into the matchday 22 in play of Du Toit, while veteran centre Marius Joubert offers cover from the bench.

 

Unfortunately for the Sharks Tim Whitehead is still out through injury and hasn't recovered in time for the match.

 

With the team in good form and the June break for the Test matches looming Plumtree has resisted the temptation to rotate his team for this match, where the Sharks will no doubt be searching for the full five points.

 

Sharks: 15 Patrick Lambie, 14 Odwa Ndungane, 13 JP Pietersen, 12 Meyer Bosman, 11 Lwazi Mvovo, 10 Frederic Michalak, 9 Charl McLeod, 8 Keegan Daniel (captain), 7 Willem Alberts, 6 Marcell Coetzee, 5 Anton Bresler, 4 Steven Sykes, 3 Jannie du Plessis, 2 Bismarck du Plessis, 1 Tendai Mtawarira.

Replacements: 16 Craig Burden, 17 Wiehahn Herbst, 18 Jandre Marais, 19 Ryan Kankowski, 20 Jacques Botes, 21 Marius Joubert, 22 Louis Ludik.

 

Date: Saturday, June 2

Venue: Coca-Cola Park, Johannesburg

Kick-off: 17.05 (15.05 GMT)

Referee: Garratt Williamson (New Zealand)

Assistant referees: Jason Jaftha (South Africa), Stefan Breytenbach (South Africa)

TMO: Gerrie Coetzee (South Africa)