Sharks coach resists temptation

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Sharks coach Sean Everitt named an unchanged from last week as they prepare for Saturday’s Super Rugby showdown with the Stormers at Jonsson Kings Park on Saturday.

There was squad rotation on tour to keep the players fresh and given the demands on the team before the first bye, head coach Sean Everitt has opted to keep a winning formula as far as team selection goes by naming the same match 23 in consecutive weeks.

There is always the temptation to rest players, but given just how important this match is, and in the context of a team delivering week after week, the prudent choice is to stick with the same team that performed so admirably against a dangerous Jaguares side last weekend.

This match holds great promise as far as a spectacle is concerned: the Stormers will want to close that gap while the Sharks will push for a performance that delivers the result that widens the gap even further.

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Sharks: 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Sibusio Nkosi, 13 Lukhanyo Am (captain), 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Curwin Bosch, 9 Louis Schreuder, 8 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 7 Tyler Paul, 6 James Venter, 5 Hyron Andrews, 4 Ruben van Heerden, 3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Kerron van Vuuren, 1 Retshegofaditswe Nche.

Replacements: 16 Craig Burden, 17 Juan Schoeman, 18 John-Hubert Meyer, 19 Le Roux Roets, 20 Henco Venter, 21 Sanele Nohamba, 22 Jeremy Ward, 23 Madosh Tambwe

Date: Saturday, March 14

Venue: Kings Park, Durban

Kick-off: 15.05 (13.05 GMT)

Referee: AJ Jacobs (South Africa)

Assistant referees: Egon Seconds (South Africa), Divan Uys (South Africa)

TMO: Willie Vos (South Africa)