Sharks Super rugby head coach Robert du Preez has named his team to play the Hurricanes at Kings Park in Durban on Saturday.
Du Preez has made just one change to last week’s side that defeated the Lions, with Philip van der Walt out with a shoulder niggle and Jacques Vermeulen starting in his place on the flank.
In the Sharks last home game of the Super Rugby pool stages, they will be looking to close off this chapter on a high before the final two rounds of the competition when they hit the road for away games.
Every game takes on must-win status, both for final log position but also within the South African Conference given the congestion between the five sides.
Centre Lukhanyo Am fulfils an important role in the midfield, with his uncompromising defence and exciting attacking and will be hoping that last week’s team effort continues.
“It was an important win [against the Lions] for us, all local derbies are tough and we’ll take a win any day,” he explains.
“We didn’t have as much possession as we would have liked but I think defence won us that game.”
It’s the last home game and an opportunity to end off on a high.
“The tour did us a huge favour as far as team morale goes. But the Hurricanes will be a tough challenge, it’s a game where we will really need to step up.”
Sharks
15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Sbu Nkosi, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Curwin Bosch, 9 Louis Schreuder (captain), 8 Dan du Preez, 7 Jean-Luc du Preez, 6 Jacques Vermeulen, 5 Ruan Botha, 4 Ruben van Heerden, 3 Coenie Oosthuizen, 2 Kerron van Vuuren, 1 Mzamo Majola
Replacements : 16 Craig Burden/Cullen Collopy, 17 Juan Schoeman, 18 Thomas du Toit, 19 Hyron Andrews, 20 Tyler Paul, 21 Cameron Wright, 22 Robert du Preez, 23 Kobus van Wyk