Sharks coach John Plumtree has made a number of changes to the team playing Chiefs on Saturday including benching his skipper and playing Frans Steyn at 13.
On the bright side, a very fresh team will take on the defending champs – themselves under pressure – and never shy to have a go from anywhere on the field.
In the absence of Tendai Mtawarira, Wiehahn Herbst will play at loosehead prop alongside hooker Craig Burden (in for Kyle Cooper who has started the last four matches and gets a break) and Springbok Jannie du Plessis.
Franco van der Merwe is replaced by Pieter-Steph du Toit ,who will partner Anton Bresler.
The loose forward trio has been completely re-arranged … Marcell Coetzee makes way for debutant Derick Minnie, a 107kg flank on loan from the Lions, while Jean Deysel takes over the captaincy from Keegan Daniel who is also afforded some respite off the bench.
Lubabalo Mtembu gets his first start at Super Rugby level, having gained three caps off the bench, replacing Daniel at 8th man.
Amongst the backline, Charl McLeod and Cobus Reinach swapg jerseys and Piet Lindeque is back in the team after a stint of Varsity and Vodacom Cup rugby – back to play for the province where he spent his early years after school.
Francois Steyn will partner Meyer Bosman in the absence of Paul Jordaan, who returns home with a knee ligament injury in the final change.
Saturday 27 April
09:35 Chiefs vs Sharks, Waikato Stadium, Hamilton
Referee: Chris Pollock (New Zealand)
Assistants: Glen Jackson (New Zealand), Shane McDermott (New Zealand)
TMO: Glenn Newman (New Zealand)
Sharks: 15. Riaan Viljoen, 14. Odwa Ndungane, 13. Francois Steyn, 12. Meyer Bosman, 11. Piet Lindeque, 10. Patrick Lambie, 9. Charl McLeod, 8. Lubabalo Mtembu, 7. Jean Deysel (captain), 6. Derick Minnie, 5. Pieter-Steph du Toit, 4. Anton Bresler, 3. Jannie du Plessis, 2. Craig Burden, 1. Wiehahn Herbst
Bench: 16. Kyle Cooper, 17. Danie Mienie, 18. Franco van der Merwe, 19. Keegan Daniel, 20. Marcell Coetzee, 21. Cobus Reinach, 22. S’bura Sithole
