Williams steps in for suspended Hendrikse in Sharks No 9 jersey

Sharks coach Sean Everitt has named his team for Saturday's Currie Cup clash against the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein.

Everitt has something of a balancing act to negotiate with player management as he looks to take into account player welfare together with workload and then balance that with the need to maintain consistency in team selection.

With consecutive clashes against the Pumas and Bulls called off, the Sharks have had little Currie Cup action to speak of. But they won't be underdone, given the fact that they were up against international opposition when they took on the British & Irish Lions twice in the space of three days.

Then there are injuries, a suspension and return to action to further add to the planning. As such, Everitt has made five changes to the team that played the British & Irish Lions last Wednesday.

Khutha Mchunu returns to the side in place of Wiehahn Herbst at tighthead prop, with James Venter coming back into the backrow in place of Mpilo Gumede, who has been named amongst the replacements.

There is a new halfback pairing with Grant Williams taking over from Jaden Hendrikse who was not considered for selection due to suspension.

The young and exciting Williams will partner flyhalf Curwin Bosch, with Lionel Cronje named as flyhalf back-up on the bench.

The final change sees the return of the hugely physical Marius Louw coming in for Murray Koster at inside centre.

Saturday's clash at Free State Stadium kicks off at 14:30.

Teams:

Cheetahs

TBA

Sharks

15 Anthony Volmink, 14 Marnus Potgieter, 13 Werner Kok, 12 Marius Louw, 11 Thaakir Abrahams, 10 Curwin Bosch, 9 Grant Williams, 8 Phepsi Buthelezi (captain), 7 Dylan Richardson, 6 James Venter, 5 Reniel Hugo, 4 Le Roux Roets, 3 Khutha Mchunu, 2 Kerron van Vuuren, 1 Ntuthuko Mchunu

Substitutes: 16 Dan Jooste, 17 Mzamo Majola, 18 Lourens Adriaanse, 19 Thembelani Bholi, 20 Mpilo Gumede, 21 Cameron Wright, 22 Lionel Cronje, 23 Jeremy Ward