Skipper headlines Sharks changes

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Sharks coach Sean Everitt has made a number of changes to his team for their Super Rugby Round Five encounter with the Reds.

Captain Lukhanyo Am returns to the side after an enforced break last week, to lead the side in their final tour match in Brisbane on Saturday.

Am sat out last week due to Springbok player workload protocols and this weekend it is the turn of wing Makazole Mapimpi, together with Tyler Paul and James Venter.

Dylan Richardson and Henco Venter start on either side of the scrum, with Louis Schreuder returning at scrumhalf.

In the final two changes, Lwazi Mvovo takes over from Mapimpi and Am is back in place of Jeremy Ward.

Sharks: 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Madosh Tambwe, 13 Lukhanyo Am (captain), 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Lwazi Mvovo, 10 Curwin Bosch, 9 Louis Schreuder, 8 Sikumbuzo Notshe, 7 Henco Venter, 6 Dylan Richardson, 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 Phepsi Buthelezi, 21 Sanele Nohamba, 22 Marius Louw, 23 Jeremy Ward.

Date: Saturday, February 29

Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane

Kick-off: 18.15 (10.15 SA time; 08.15 GMT)

Referee: Brendon Pickerill (New Zealand)

Assistant referees: Graham Cooper (Australia), Jordan Way (Australia)

TMO: James Leckie (Australia)