Bismarck to start for Sharks

Hamilton - Sharks coach John Plumtree has made minimal changes to his side which will take on the Chiefs in Hamilton on Saturday in the third round of the Super 14.

The virtually all-Springbok backline stays intact but in the forward pack, Bismarck du Plessis makes a return to the starting line-up, replacing Springbok captain John Smit who will play off the bench.

In the loose-trio, like Du Plessis, Jacques Botes has completely recovered from a pre-season injury and has thus been handed a starting berth at openside flank with Keegan Daniel named as a replacement.

The Sharks have opened their Super 14 campaign with two wins out of two while the Chiefs have done exactly the opposite, going down to the Crusaders and Waratahs.

However, it should be an interesting encounter between these two sides who have everything to play for.

Sharks:

Stefan Terblanche, Odwa Ndungane, Adrian Jacobs, Francois Steyn, JP Pietersen, Ruan Pienaar, Rory Kockott, Ryan Kankowski, Jean Deysel, Jacques Botes, Johann Muller (captain), Steven Sykes, Jannie du Plessis, Bismarck du Plessis, Deon Carstens

Replacements: John Smit, Tendai Mtawarira, Alistair Hargreaves, Keegan Daniel, Ross Cronje, Riaan Swanepoel, Luzuko Vulindlu