Coach JP Pietersen has made three changes to the Sharks starting XV for Saturday’s Vodacom URC match against the Lions at Kings Park.
Springbok loosehead prop Ox Nche has recovered from knee and ankle injuries suffered against Japan at Wembley in early November, while fullback Aphelele Fassi returns after being sidelined with a concussion.
They replace Phatu Ganyane and Hakeem Kunene respectively, while Manu Tshituka comes in for Phepsi Buthelezi at No 8.
Lock Corne Rahl and fullback Siya Masuku also make welcome returns to the match 23, both named on the bench.
TSHITUKA: JP’s lifted Sharks’ standards
The Sharks won their last URC outing against the Vodacom Bulls in Durban two weeks ago, but are 13th on the log and in desperate need of victory against the eighth-placed Lions.
Saturday’s match kicks off at 3:30pm.
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SHARKS – 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Edwill van der Merwe, 13 Ethan Hooker, 12 Andre Esterhuizen (c), 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Jordan Hendrikse, 9 Grant Williams, 8 Manu Tshituka, 7 Vincent Tshituka, 6 Siya Kolisi, 5 Emile van Heerden, 4 Jason Jenkins, 3 Hanro Jacobs, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Ox Nche.
Bench: 16 Eduan Swart, 17 Phatu Ganyane, 18 Mawande Mdanda, 19 Corne Rahl, 20 Phepsi Buthelezi, 21 Nick Hatton, 22 Jaden Hendrikse, 23 Siya Masuku.
Photo: Steve Haag/Gallo Images
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