Sharks head coach Robert du Preez has made a number of changes to his Super rugby team to play the Waratahs in Durban this weekend.
Du Preez has recalled Tendai “Beast” Mtawarira to starting line up as one of two changes to the forward pack that played against the Lions in the opening round.
Keegan Daniel was named to play the Lions but was unwell so had to be replaced before the match and is now back to full fitness so he is named in the starting line up again.
In the other change to the forwards Tyler Paul comes in for Philip van der Walt, who has an ankle ligament sprain.
Amongst the backs, Cameron Wright took a knock in the Lions’ game and will play off the bench this week, but his replacement, Louis Schreuder, has returned from injury timeously to fit in to the starting line-up.
The final two changes (one a positional switch) see Sbu Nkosi shifting to the left wing in place of Makazole Mapimpi (who is being rested), with Kobus van Wyk named on the right wing after playing off the bench two weeks ago.
Both teams will have watched videos of their opponents and identified areas of concern – either to counter or look to dominate. One area is the lineouts, the other is scrums, both of which are expected to be hotly contested.
Philip van der Walt has an ankle ligament sprain and therefore was not considered for selection for this match and Makazole Mapimpi has been rested for this game.
“We’ve got over the disappointment of the loss against the Lions and instead we chosen to take the positives from that game forward,” said Head Coach, Robert du Preez.
“Training over the last two weeks has gone well with great intensity at sessions. Emphasis was placed on areas we needed to work on and the players are committed to getting things right.
“The Waratahs are a good team and have some dangerous players across the park. We need to concentrate on our game-plan and managing key areas to nullify their threats
“Playing at home is always special and we hope that the KZN public will come out and support their team. We will do our best to make our fans proud.”
Sharks
15. Lwazi Mvovo , 14. Kobus van Wyk , 13. Lukhanyo Am , 12. Andre Esterhuizen , 11. Sbu Nkosi , 10. Robert du Preez , 9. Louis Schreuder , 8. Keegan Daniel , 7. Tyler Paul , 6. Jacques Vermeulen , 5. Stephan Lewies , 4. Ruan Botha (c) , 3. Thomas du Toit , 2. Franco Marais , 1. Tendai Mtawarira
Replacements: 16. Akker van der Merwe , 17. Juan Schoeman , 18. John-Hubert Meyer , 19. Hyron Andrews , 20. Tera Mtembu , 21. Cameron Wright , 22. Marius Louw , 23. Curwin Bosch
