Vincent Tshituka returns to action for the Sharks as skipper of a rejigged lineup to face Cardiff at Arms Park in the Vodacom URC on Saturday.

The Sharks will resume their URC campaign on the back of a heavy defeat to Bordeaux-Begles that cost John Plumtree’s men a place in the Investec Champions Cup playoffs.

A shortage of locks due to injury sees Tshituka starting in the second row instead of his customary loose-forward role. With the front row remaining intact, there is only one other change to the pack where No 8 Nick Hatton comes in for Siya Kolisi, who misses out due to Springbok resting protocols.

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There are also returns for Bok stars Makazole Mapimpi and Jordan Hendrikse, who will run out at left wing and fullback respectively.

World Cup winners Vincent Koch and Jaden Hendrikse, who is in line to make 50th appearance for the Sharks, are set to make an impact off the bench with debutant Deon Slabbert.

In the Sharks’ last URC fixture, they lost to the Stormers in Cape Town, which ended their four-match streak in the competition. The fifth-placed Sharks are four log points behind Cardiff, who have played one more match than the Durbanites.

SHARKS – 15 Jordan Hendrikse, 14 Yaw Penxe, 13 Jurenzo Julius, 12 Ethan Hooker, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Siya Masuku, 9 Grant Williams, 8 Nick Hatton, 7 Emmanuel Tshituka, 6 Phepsi Buthelezi, 5 Jason Jenkins, 4 Vincent Tshituka (c), 3 Trevor Nyakane, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Ntuthuko Mchunu.
Subs: 16 Ethan Bester, 17 Ruan Dreyer, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 Deon Slabbert, 20 Lappies Labuschagne, 21 Jaden Hendrikse, 22 Francois Venter, 23 Lukhanyo Am.

 

Photo: Steve Haag Sports/Gallo Images