Pietersen gets midfield role against Griquas

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Sharks coach Sean Everitt has named his team to face Griquas in their opening 2019 Currie Cup game at Kings Park on Friday

Ten players in Friday's starting line-up were selected in the Super Rugby quarterfinal match against the Brumbies, with a total of 13 from the matchday 23.

Two players who cut their teeth at the Sharks, one a Rugby World Cup winner, have been named in the matchday 23.

JP Pietersen, who arrived from France, will start alongside co-captain Jeremy Ward in the midfield while Craig Burden plays off the bench as the replacement hooker.

Ward’s co-captain Lubabalo 'Tera' Mtembu is part of a strong pack that will no doubt be tested against the tough Griquas’ forwards.

Sharks: 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Kobus van Wyk, 13 JP Pietersen, 12 Jeremy Ward (co-captain), 11 Lwazi Mvovo, 10 Curwin Bosch, 9 Cameron Wright, 8 Tera Mtembu (co-captain), 7 Jacques Vermeulen, 6 Luke Stringer, 5 Hyron Andrews, 4 Ruben van Heerden, 3 Coenie Oosthuizen, 2 Kerron van Vuuren, 1 Juan Schoeman.

Replacements: 16 Craig Burden, 17 Mzamo Majola, 18 John-Hubert Meyer, 19 Gideon Koegelenberg, 20 Phepsi Buthelezi, 21 Sanele Nohamba, 22 Marius Louw, 23 Rhyno Smith.

Date: Friday, July 12

Venue: Kings Park, Durban

Kick-off: 19.15 (17.15 GMT)

Referee: Marius van der Westhuizen

Assistant Referees: Vusi Msibi, Archie Sehlako

TMO: Christie du Preez