Deysel to earn 50th cap

He is one of a host of Springboks who will feature – for both teams.

According to Sharks website editor, Michael Marnewick, in changes to last week’s side, JP Pietersen shifts to the right wing in place of Odwa Ndungane who picked up an ankle injury against Griquas last weekend and hasn’t come through a late fitness test. Jacques Botes, another player under an injury cloud (back), also failed to make it through and will miss out this week. The third player facing a late decision was Steven Sykes who has been bracketed in with Peet Marais on the bench.

After playing off the bench last weekend, the Springbok duo of Lwazi Mvovo and Jannie du Plessis start this week, while Beast Mtawarira and Willem Alberts, who were rested last week following their heavy workload in the Castle Rugby Championship, have been recalled and will feature off the bench.

“We’re starting Jannie, it’s a big game and he had some Currie Cup action last week,” explains coach John Plumtree of the changes he’s made. “He’ll be partnered by Dale Chadwick and Kyle Cooper, and then we have a whole front row on the bench with Craig Burden, Beast and Wiehahn Herbst. It could be wet and having Willem Alberts and someone with experience like Steven Sykes on the bench will be important because how we finish the game off could be vital.

“There were a lot of choices, but I don’t think we could ignore what the guys have achieved without the guys who are now back. And we also couldn’t ignore the importance of experience.

“Everyone is just really excited.”

Teams:

Sharks:

15 Louis Ludik, 14 JP Pietersen, 13 Paul Jordaan, 12 Tim Whitehead, 11 Lwazi Mvovo, 10 Pat Lambie, 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Keegan Daniel (captain), 7 Jean Deysel, 6 Marcell Coetzee, 5 Anton Bresler, 4 Jandre Marais, 3 Jannie du Plessis
2 Kyle Cooper, 1 Dale Chadwick

Substitutes: 16 Craig Burden, 17 Tendai Mtawarira, 18 Wiehahn Herbst, 19 Steven Sykes / Peet Marais, 20 Willem Alberts
21 Charl McLeod, 22 Meyer Bosman

Blue Bulls:

15 Zane Kirchner, 14 Akona Ndungane, 13 JJ Engelbrecht, 12 Francois Venter, 11 Bjorn Basson, 10 Mornè Steyn, 9 Jano Vermaak, 8 Arno Botha, 7 Jacques Potgieter, 6 Dewald Potgieter (captain), 5 Juandrè Kruger, 4 Flip van der Merwe, 3 Werner Kruger, 2 Willie Wepener, 1 Mornè Mellett

Substitutes: 16 Chiliboy Ralepelle, 17 Frik Kirsten, 18 Wilhelm Steenkamp, 19 CJ Stander, 20 Francois Hougaard, 21 Louis Fouchè, 22 Dean Greyling