Wentzel replaces injured Du Toit
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The Sharks team to host the Chiefs in Saturday’s clash has only one injury-enforced change with Marco Wentzel coming into the starting pack for Pieter-Steph du Toit.
A championship side, the Chiefs come to Durban high on confidence following their victory over the Stormers last week, so ending the Cape side’s unbeaten run in this year’s tournament.
Unfortunately, the much-awaited Sonny Bill Williams’ show may not make an appearance at Kings Park after the All Black sustained concussion in his side’s victory over the Stormers.
A broken finger suffered by Tim Nanai-Williams in that match means the Chiefs are likely to field a new-look midfield combination unless Williams passes a late concussion test.
The Sharks by contrast will have the same centre partnership of Springboks Frans Steyn and JP Pietersen for the third consecutive match which bodes well for continuity.
The Springbok trio of Marcell Coetzee, Patrick Lambie and Cobus Reinach will all feature in this vital match.
There was doubt over their inclusion after playing five matches, but SA Rugby has confirmed that the Springbok player management agreement with the South African Super Rugby franchises is not a legally binding understanding.
Instead SA Rugby expects them to stick as close to it as possible in the interests of the Springboks.
Sharks: 15 SP Marais, 14 Odwa Ndungane, 13 JP Pietersen, 12 Francois Steyn, 11 Lwazi Mvovo, 10 Patrick Lambie, 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Ryan Kankowski, 7 Renaldo Bothma, 6 Marcell Coetzee, 5 Marco Wentzel, 4 Mouritz Botha, 3 Jannie du Plessis, 2 Bismarck du Plessis (captain), 1 Tendai Mtawarira.
Replacements: 16 Kyle Cooper, 17 Dale Chadwick, 18 Lourens Adriaanse, 19 Lubabalo Mtyanda, 20 Daniel du Preez, 21 Conrad Hoffmann, 22 Andre Esterhuizen, 23 Waylon Murray.
Date: Saturday, March 21
Venue: Kings Park, Durban
Kick-off: 19.10 (06.10 Sunday, March 22 NZDT; 17.10 GMT)
Referee: Angus Gardner (Australia)
Assistant referees: Marius van der Westhuizen (South Africa), Cwengile Jadezweni (South Africa)
TMO: Marius Jonker (South Africa)
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