Sharks 'drop' Beast
The Sharks veteran has been replaced by Thomas du Toit in the starting XV.
Du Toit will partner up with tight head prop Lourens Adriaanse who replaces Coenie Oosthuizen. The Springbok has been rested this week in line with the Springbok rest protocol.
While hooker Mahlatse Ralepele rounds off the new-look front row.
The last change in front sees lock Stephan Lewies replacing Etienne Oosthuizen.
Injuries forced Du Preez to shuffle his backline for the Sunwolves – with Patrick Lambie (concussion symptom), Rhyno Smith (pectoral muscle tear) and Jeremy Ward (broken nose) all missing from
the side.
Garth April gets the number 10 jersey, while regular wing Lwazi Mvovo is shifted to fullback and Sibusiso Nkosi moves to wing.
In the absents of Ward, Johan Deysel will be making his first start in a Sharks jersey for the season at inside centre.
On the bench, Michael Claassens has picked up a hamstring injury during the week and Rowan Gouws has flown to Singapore as scrumhalf cover.
Du Preez emphasised the importance of a victory against the Sunwolves, especially after their shock 32-35 defeat to the Southern Kings in Port Elizabeth last weekend
"This match is hugely important and it’s not about maintaining a hold on our log position, but also about building momentum and confidence.
"This was supposed to be our momentum phase but we’re back to square one again so we need a win to get us back on track. And we need a proper win, it needs to be an all-out great performance and that will set us up nicely for the three derbies we have at home,"
Sharks: 15 Lwazi Mvovo, 14 Kobus van Wyk, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 Johan Deysel, 11 Sibusiso Nkosi, 10 Garth April, 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Daniel du Preez, 7 Jean-Luc du Preez, 6 Philip van der Walt (captain), 5 Stephan Lewies, 4 Ruan Botha, 3 Lourens Adriaanse, 2 Mahlatse Ralepelle, 1 Thomas du Toit.
Replacement: 16 Franco Marais, 17 Tendai Mtawarira, 18 John-Hubert Meyer, 19 Etienne Oosthuizen, 20 Lubabalo Mtembu, 21 Rowan Gouws, 22 Benhard Janse van Rensburg, 23 Sibusiso Sithole
Date: Saturday, May 20
Venue: Singapore National Stadium, Singapore
Kick-off: 18.55 (11.55 GMT; 13.55 SA Time)
Referee: Rohan Hoffmann (Australia)
Assistant referees: Aki Aso (Japan), Tasuku Kawahara (Japan)
TMO: Minoru Fuji (Japan)
