Sharks coach Sean Everitt has made several changes to his team for Saturday's PRO14 Rainbow Cup SA clash against the Lions in Johannesburg.
The Durbanites are reeling after two consecutive losses to the Bulls (43-9, Pretoria) and Stormers (25-22, Durban).
In the backline, Manie Libbok replaces Curwin Bosch at flyhalf while Springbok wing Makazole Mapimpi makes his first Sharks appearance in 2021 after returning from Japan.
Yaw Penxe moves from left to right wing to take over from the injured Sbu Nkosi and Werner Kok replaces regular skipper Lukhanyo Am at centre. The final backline change sees Anthony Volmink coming in for Aphelele Fassi at fullback.
Up front, an all-new front row in the form of Ntuthuko Mchunu, Kerron van Vuuren and Wiehahn Herbst take over from Ox Nche, Fez Mbatha and Thomas du Toit.
In the second row, Hyron Andrews returns in the place of Reniel Hugo while James Venter is a welcome inclusion after a long-term injury.
Phepsi Buthelezi will play at No 8, with Thembelani Bholi named on the bench and Henco Venter taking over the captaincy and shifting back to flank.
Saturday's clash at Ellis Park kicks off at 16:00.
An intriguing tussle awaits fans as the Cell C Sharks and Emirates Lions go head-to-head on Saturday in Joburg following their various fortunes in the competition of late.Full team release: https://t.co/aACrjTs1Mg#OurSharksForever #RainbowCupSA #LIOvSHA pic.twitter.com/zOPvLUKvy3
— The Sharks (@TheSharksZA) June 3, 2021
Teams:
Lions
15 EW Viljoen, 14 Rabz Maxwane, 13 Wandisile Simelane, 12 Burger Odendaal (captain), 11 Courtnall Skosan, 10 Jordan Hendrikse, 9 Andre Warner, 8 Len Massyn, 7 Vincent Tshituka, 6 MJ Pelser, 5 Reinhard Nothnagel, 4 Ruben Schoeman, 3 Carlu Sadie, 2 Jaco Visagie, 1 Sti Sithole
Substitutes: 16 PJ Botha, 17 Ruan Dreyer, 18 Asenathi Ntlabakanye, 19 Willem Alberts, 20 Emmanuel Tshituka, 21 Morne van den Berg, 22 Fred Zeilinga, 23 Dan Kriel
Sharks
15 Anthony Volmink, 14 Yaw Penxe, 13 Werner Kok, 12 Marius Louw, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Manie Libbok, 9 Jaden Hendrikse, 8 Phepsi Buthelezi, 7 Henco Venter (captain), 6 James Venter, 5 Hyron Andrews, 4 JJ van der Mescht, 3 Wiehahn Herbst, 2 Kerron van Vuuren, 1 Ntuthuko Mchunu
Substitutes: 16 Fez Mbatha, 17 Ox Nche, 18 Thomas du Toit, 19 Ruben van Heerden, 20 Thembelani Bholi, 21 Grant Williams, 22 Boeta Chamberlain, 23 Jeremy Ward