Steyn stays at flyhalf

Marcell Coetzee's injury against the Rebels last week sees Keegan Daniel replace him in the No.6 jersey with Ryan Kankowski retaining the No.8 berth.

 

There has been a shuffle in the midfield to accommodate the fleet-footed Sithole as Paul Jordaan moves to inside centre and Sithole into outside pushing Heimar Williams to the bench.

 

Interestingly, White has not included a reserve flyhalf in the replacements, Fred Zeilinga has returned home and Tim Swiel does not even crack the nod on the bench.

 

The Sharks last game against the Rebels was played on a Friday giving them an extra day this week to prepare.

 

"We had an extra day to prepare for this match [compared to last week], more time to plan and first playing second on the log is obviously a massive game," coach White said.

 

"It’s irrelevant that I was there, or now I’m with the Sharks, the point is that in the 2014 competition, it’s number one playing number two.

 

"Like all teams, they’re very difficult to beat at their home ground.

 

"Historically, it’s been a tough place to win, but the nice thing is that a lot of these players were here two years ago when they came to Canberra [The Sharks won 29-26], so they’ve experienced the feeling of winning there already.

 

"We’re looking forward to seeing whether or not we can replicate what happened two years ago".

 

Sharks: 15 Lwazi Mvovo, 14 Odwa Ndungane, 13 Sibusiso Sithole, 12 Paul Jordaan, 11 JP Pietersen, 10 Francois Steyn, 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Ryan Kankowski, 7 Jean Deysel, 6 Keegan Daniel, 5 Stephan Lewies, 4 Willem Alberts, 3 Jannie du Plessis, 2 Bismarck du Plessis (captain), 1 Tendai Mtawarira.

Replacements: 16 Kyle Cooper, 17 Dale Chadwick, 18 Lourens Adriaanse, 19 Etienne Oosthuizen, 20 Tera Mtembu, 21 Charl McLeod, 22 Heimar Williams, 23 SP Marais.

 

Date: Saturday, May 10

Venue: GIO Stadium, Canberra

Kick-off: 19.40 (09.40 GMT; 11.40 SA time)

Referee: Glen Jackson (New Zealand)

Assistant referees: Andrew Lees, James Leckie (Australia)

TMO: George Ayoub (Australia)