Sharks coach Du Preez shocks with fullback selection

Durban - Sharks coach Robert du Preez has sprung a huge surprise in naming his side for Friday night's Currie Cup clash against the Pumas in Nelspruit. 

The change sees Curwin Bosch drop to the bench while 20-year-old Aphelele Fassi will start at fullback. 

The Sharks have won their opening two matches of the tournament and another win on Friday would all but secure a place in the semi-finals of this year's shortened tournament. 

While Bosch is obviously a major player for the Sharks moving forward into the rest of the competition, Fassi has been impressive off the bench so far in the tournament and Du Preez obviously felt he had earned a chance. 

Springbok hooker Akker van der Merwe, meanwhile, is on the bench as Chiliboy Ralepelle continues as captain.

Kick-off on Friday is at 19:00.

Teams:

Pumas

TBA

Sharks

15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Kobus van Wyk, 13 Jeremy Ward, 12 Marius Louw, 11 Lwazi Mvovo, 10 Robert du Preez, 9 Louis Schreuder, 8 Daniel du Preez, 7 Tyler Paul, 6 Luke Stringer, 5 Hyron Andrews, 4 Gideon Koegelenberg, 3 John-Hubert Meyer, 2 Chiliboy Ralepelle (captain), 1 Juan Schoeman

Substitutes: 16 Akker van der Merwe, 17 Khutha Mchunu, 18 Andrew Evans, 19 Wian Vosloo, 20 Cameron Wright, 21 Johan Deysel, 22 Curwin Bosch