Vincent Tshituka retains the Sharks captaincy in the absence of Springboks Eben Etzebeth and Siya Kolisi against the Vodacom Bulls at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.
Tshituka is one of a number of changes to the forward pack that stood up to the Bulls in their first-round clash in Durban less than two months ago.
Etzebeth has been sidelined with concussion symptoms from a head knock in the first week of December while Kolisi, along with scrumhalf Jaden Hendrikse, has been given time off in line with Bok resting protocols.
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Head coach John Plumtree is still able to name an all-Springbok front row of Ntuthuko Mchunu, Bongi Mbonambi and Trevor Nyakane.
Corne Rahl and Jason Jenkins make up the engine room with Tshituka linking up with Tino Mavesere and Phepsi Buthelezi in the back row.
Grant Williams and Siya Masuku form the halfback pairing while Lukhanyo Am partners with Jurenzo Julius in midfield. Outside backs Ethan Hooker, Yaw Penxe and Jordan Hendrikse complete the starting XV.
The Sharks took a much-needed break after their last outing, a bonus-point win in Cardiff that moved them up to fourth on the log. They are now five log points behind the Bulls and need to win at Loftus to stay within striking distance of Jake White’s men.
In the corresponding fixture last season, the Bulls scored six tries in a 44-10 rout, but the Sharks claimed bragging rights at Kings Park in December (20-17).
SHARKS – 15 Jordan Hendrikse, 14 Yaw Penxe, 13 Jurenzo Julius, 12 Lukhanyo Am, 11 Ethan Hooker, 10 Siya Masuku, 9 Grant Williams, 8 Phepsi Buthelezi, 7 Vincent Tshituka (c), 6 Tino Mavesere, 5 Jason Jenkins, 4 Corne Rahl, 3 Trevor Nyakane, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Ntuthuko Mchunu.
Bench: 16 Ethan Bester, 17 Ruan Dreyer, 18 Hanro Jacobs, 19 Lappies Labuschagne, 20 Jannes Potgieter, 21 Bradley Davids, 22 Francois Venter, 23 Jaco Williams.
Photo: Steve Haag Sports/Gallo Images
