The Sharks will rely on Springboks Thomas Du Toit and Ox Nche to lead their charge against Edinburgh in the URC.
Director of Rugby for the Sharks, Neil Powell, has made five alterations to the starting lineup from last week.
The men from Durban will rest the Springbok quartet of Eben Etzebeth, Siya Kolisi, Jaden Hendrikse, and Lukhanyo Am in favor of Hyron Andrews, the Venter brothers James and Henco (who replace Vincent Tshituka), and two backline substitutions: Grant Williams will replace Hendrikse at scrumhalf, while Francois Venter will partner Ben Tapuai in place of Am.
Tapuai explains, “At this point in the season, we’ve addressed where we are on the standings and where we feel we should be. However, we have played two fewer games than some of the other teams, so we know we have to win the remaining games, and that starts this weekend when we hope to put on a good performance.”
This weekend, the Edinburgh team will be without players due to the Scottish camp, but according to the Australian international, their opponents will be just as dangerous.
They are a really powerful, high-quality team that has been in this competition for a long time, but this is only our second year and we are still learning the ropes.
“Whether they have their Scottish internationals or not, we know that it’s crucial for their campaign to finish as high as possible, just as it is for ours.
After last week’s disheartening loss to Harlequins, we’re just concentrating on ourselves and trying to get everything in order for this match.
Saturday’s game will begin at 19:15 CAT.
TEAM 1. Ox Nche
2. Kerron van Vuuren
3. Thomas du Toit
4. Hyron Andrews
5. Gerbrandt Grobler
6. James Venter
7. Henco Venter
8. Phepsi Buthelezi (c)
Grant Williams ninth
10. Curwin Bosch
11. Thaakir Abrahams
12. Ben Tapuai
13. Francois Venter
14. Marnus Potgieter
Aphelele Fassi, number fifteen
Replacements
16. Dan Jooste
17. Ntuthuko Mchunu
18. Carlü Sadie
19. Reniel Hugo
20. Sikhumbuzo Notshe
21. Christopher Wright
22. Lionel Cronje
23. Yaw Penxe
»Sharks will unleash Springboks props against Edinburgh«