Sharks call on Hoffmann's services

The Sharks team shows just a couple of changes for their trip to Nelspruit this week and a Friday date with the Pumas.

There is just one backline change, with Conrad Hoffmann getting his first start at scrumhalf - after playing off the bench last week.

Cameron Wright will drop down to the replacement bench.

JC Astle is back from injury and partners Etienne Oosthuizen in the second row in the absence of injured Marco Wentzel.

The rest of the pack is unchanged.

The front row trio - spearheaded by England's British and Irish Lions international Matt Stevens - is the same.

Captain Lubabalo Mtembu has been cleared from an injury niggle he suffered in the win over the Free State Cheetahs last week.

The first round match, played at Kings Park, was a victorious outing for the Sharks, but the Pumas have been unbeatable in Nelspruit.

Sharks: 15 SP Marais, 14 Odwa Ndungane, 13 Sibusiso Sithole, 12 Paul Jordaan, 11 Tonderai Chavhanga, 10 Fred Zeilinga, 9 Conrad Hoffmann, 8 Lubabalo Mtembu (captain), 7 Francois Kleinhans, 6 Jacques Botes, 5 JC Astle, 4 Etienne Oosthuizen, 3 Matt Stevens, 2 Kyle Cooper, 1 Dale Chadwick.

Replacements: 16 Franco Marais, 17 Lourens Adriaanse, 18 Stephan Lewies, 19 Johan Meyer, 20 Cameron Wright, 21 Heimar Williams, 22 Lionel Cronjé.

Date: Friday, August 29

Venue: Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit

Kick-off: 19.10 (17.10 GMT)

Referee: Ben Crouse

Assistant referees: Marius Jonker, Stefan Breytenbach

TMO: Johan Greeff