Durban - Sharks coach John Plumtree has stuck with the side that showed guts and heart last week in selecting his team to play the Waratahs on Saturday, with just one enforced change in the second row.
According to Sharks website editor Michael Marnewick, Jandre Marais, who made his debut last week - and scored a try with his first touch of the ball at Vodacom Super Rugby level - replaces Steven Sykes at lock. Sykes has fortunately been passed fit to play after leaving the field early in the match against the Reds and has been named on the bench.
Nick Schonert, who flew out to join up with the squad, has been thrown into the team, selected in the No 17 jersey to provide cover at tighthead prop.
With JP Pietersen sitting out another week, Marius Joubert will play off the bench along with other backline replacements Fred Michalak and Louis Ludik.
The match kicks off at 06:35 SA time.
Teams:
Waratahs:
15 Bernard Foley, 14 Tom Kingston, 13 Rob Horne, 12 Tom Carter 11 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 10 Berrick Barnes, 9 Brendan McKibbin, 8 Wycliff Palu, 7 Chris Alcock, 6 Dave Dennis, 5 Kane Douglas, 4 Dean Mumm, 3 Sekope Kepu, 2 Tatafu Polota-Nau, 1 Benn Robinson (captain)
Substitutes (from): John Ulugia, Paddy Ryan, Sitaleki Timani, Lopeti Timani, Jono Jenkins, Sarel Pretorius, Daniel Halangahu, Peter Betham, Brackin Kauraria-Henry
Sharks:
15 Riaan Viljoen, 14 Odwa Ndungane, 13 Tim Whitehead, 12 Meyer Bosman, 11 Lwazi Mvovo, 10 Patrick Lambie, 9 Charl McLeod, 8 Keegan Daniel (captain), 7 Willem Alberts, 6 Marcell Coetzee, 5 Jandre Marais, 4 Anton Bresler, 3 Jannie du Plessis, 2 Bismarck du Plessis, 1 Dale Chadwick
Substitutes: 16 Craig Burden, 17 Nick Schonert, 18 Steven Sykes, 19 Jacques Botes, 20 Frederic Michalak, 21 Marius Joubert, 22 Louis Ludik