Sharks opt for consistency
Sharks coach John Plumtree has stuck with the majority of his side from last weekend, barring a few enforced changes through injury.
There will have been a huge sigh of relief following the news that Jannie du Plessis is fit to pack down at tighthead prop, while fellow front row forward Weihan Herbst has failed to recover in time for the clash with the Waratahs.
Impressive youngster Jandre Marais, who came off the bench and scored a vital try in the victory over the Reds is rewarded with a starting berth alongside Anton Bresler in the second row.
Lock Steven Sykes has fortunately been passed fit to play after leaving the field early in the match against the Reds, and will take up a spot on the bench.
Nick Schonert was flow in late to add additional tighthead cover, and gets his first chance at this level in the No.17 jersey. Schonert was an important addition with injury concerns to Du Plessis and Herbst, while the other front ranker in the squad, Janro van Niekerk, is a specialist loosehead and was subsequently left behind in South Africa.
Newly converted outside centre JP Pietersen must sit out for another week after sustaining an injury during the warm-up for last weekend’s match, so Meyer Bosman and Tim Whitehead start in the midfield once again.
Sharks: 15 Riaan Viljoen, 14 Odwa Ndungane, 13 Tim Whitehead, 12 Meyer Bosman, 11 Lwazi Mvovo, 10 Patrick Lambie, 9 Charl McLeod, 8 Keegan Daniel (captain), 7 Willem Alberts, 6 Marcell Coetzee, 5 Jandre Marais, 4 Anton Bresler, 3 Jannie du Plessis, 2 Bismarck du Plessis, 1 Dale Chadwick.
Replacements: 16 Craig Burden, 17 Nick Schonert, 18 Steven Sykes, 19 Jacques Botes, 20 Frederic Michalak, 21 Marius Joubert, 22 Louis Ludik.
Date: Saturday, March 24
Venue: Allianz Stadium, Sydney
Kick-off: 15.35 AEDT (04.35 GMT)
Referee: Chris Pollock (New Zealand)
Assistant referees: Ian Smith (Australia), James Leckie (Australia)
TMO: Matt Goddard (Australia)
