Sharks bring in Bok duo for Blue Bulls clash

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Sharks team to face the Blue Bulls at Loftus Versfeld in the final Currie Cup clash of the pool stages has been bolstered by two returning Springboks.

Thomas du Toit and Andre Esterhuizen have been named in the side to travel to Pretoria for one last push before the semifinals.

Du Toit takes over from Mzamo Majola who plays off the bench, while Esterhuizen will feature at centre, with co-captain Jeremy Ward shifting to the No.13 jersey and JP Pietersen taking a place amongst the reserves.

In the other change to the starting line-up, Coenie Oosthuizen returns after missing last week’s victory over the Golden Lions due to injury.

Head coach Sean Everitt has added another debutant to the fray after Boeta Chamberlain's glowing first match for the Sharks last week. Andisa Ntsila has been named on the bench and is poised to be the latest new recruit to wear the black and white jersey.

After two wins – albeit tight victories – the Sharks have worked their way into a healthy position on the log with the very real chance of securing a home semifinal should they defeat the Blue Bulls and other results go their way.

Sharks: 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Kobus van Wyk, 13 Jeremy Ward (co-captain), 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Lwazi Mvovo, 10 Boeta Chamberlain, 9 Sanele Nohamba, 8 Tera Mtembu (co-captain), 7 Jacques Vermeulen, 6 Phepsi Buthelezi, 5 Hyron Andrews, 4 Ruben van Heerden, 3 Coenie Oosthuizen, 2 Kerron van Vuuren, 1 Thomas du Toit.

Replacements: 16 Dylan Richardson, 17 Mzamo Majola, 18 John-Hubert Meyer, 19 Gideon Koegelenberg, 20 Andisa Ntsila, 21 Cameron Wright, 22 Rhyno Smith, 23 JP Pietersen.

Date: Saturday, August 24

Venue: Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria

Kick-off: 19.30 (17.30 GMT)

Referee: Rasta Rasivhenge

Assistant referees: Paul Mente, Phumzile Mbewu

TMO: Johan Greeff