Sharks forced to change for Stormers clash

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Both the Sharks and the Stormers will run out onto Kings Park looking for a big performance in this Saturday’s Rainbow Cup SA match when the two teams meet in the return leg of the competition.

The Stormers are smarting after losing to the Sharks in round one, while there is a strong desire for the Durban side to get back to winning ways after last weekend’s disappointment.

Sharks head coach Sean Everitt has made three personnel changes and one positional switch to last week’s team with JJ van der Mescht earning a start and hard-working Ruben van Heerden playing off the bench.

After rupturing a patella tendon against the Bulls, Sikhumbuzo Notshe has unfortunately been ruled out of action for a few months, which has necessitated a re-jig of the loose forward trio. Henco Venter moves to eighthman with Thembelani Bholi taking his place on the side of the scrum.

While former Stormers captain Siya Kolisi retains the No.6 jersey.

In the final change, Marius Louw returns to the side and takes over from Jeremy Ward at centre.

Springboks wing Makazole Mapimpi has not been named in the squad for this weekend's clash.

The 30-year-old has been training with the Sharks after a stint with the Japan team the Red Hurricanes.

*Article continues below...

“The guys are proud, they have a lot of fight in them,” Everitt admits ahead of the coastal derby clash.

“Despite last week’s loss, there is still a lot of rugby to be played, we have three games and it starts with our come-back this Saturday and we’re certainly not out of the race.

"We’re still in a really good position, the Bulls are only three points ahead of us, we still have them at home and we haven’t lost at  Kings Park for a long period of time. We want to bounce back and we do want to win this competition.”

Sharks: 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Sbu Nkosi, 13 Lukhanyo Am (captain), 12 Marius Louw, 11 Yaw Penxe, 10 Curwin Bosch, 9 Jaden Hendrikse, 8 Henco Venter, 7 Thembelani Bholi, 6 Siya Kolisi, 5 Reniel Hugo, 4 JJ van der Mescht, 3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Fez Mbatha, 1 Ox Nche

Replacements: 16 Kerron van Vuuren, 17 Ntuthuko Mchunu, 18 Wiehahn Herbst, 19 Ruben van Heerden, 20 Phepsi Buthelezi, 21 Sanele Nohamba, 22 Manie Libbok, 23 Werner Kok

Date: Saturday, May 22

Kick-off: 13.00 (11.00 GMT)

Venue: Kings Park, Durban

Referee: Marius van der Westhuizen

Assistant Referees: Cwengile Jadezweni, Ashleigh Murray-Pretorius

TMO: Stuart Berry