White wary of Waratahs

Durban - Sharks director of rugby Jake White is well aware of the strong threat posed by the Waratahs ahead of their Super Rugby clash at Kings Park in Durban on Saturday.

The fifth-placed Australians have been one of the stand-out attacking sides in the competition this season and arrive in the coastal city with a formidable record against the hosts having won 11 out of 16 meetings, including one draw.

"The Waratahs are a good team, they have a lot of Wallabies in their squad and they have been on a good roll so far in the competition," White, whose side are top of the table, said.

"Like us, they've only lost just one game and they have a really well-balanced team.

"Of the three games they've won, they've scored bonus points in all three, so they can obviously score tries. That means it's going to be a tough game for us."

The Sharks were handed their first loss of the season when they went down 23-19 to the Bulls last weekend, although they remain unbeaten at home.

White felt it was important to come out hard against the visitors, especially with a bye to come next weekend.

"It's a new week, a new opportunity and we have a bye next week, so there is a lot to play for and no reason why we don't give everything this weekend.

"We are unbeaten at home and we want to try and bounce back from last week with a good performance in front of our home crowd. We will take whatever win we can, but I would like to do it in style."

White felt the loss to the Bulls was not too significant in the wider context of the Super Rugby season.

"It was our first loss, and it's unlikely any team will go through an entire tournament such as this one unbeaten," he said.

He made four changes to his side on Thursday in an attempt to juggle his latest injury setbacks with the players he had available.

There would be a new halfback pairing with flyhalf Fred Zeilinga and scrumhalf Charl McLeod replacing Patrick Lambie and Cobus Reinach respectively.

Wing Lwazi Mvovo was a surprise selection at fullback and Willem Alberts came in at lock, and Odwa Ndungane and Jean Deysel returning to the side.

The Waratahs would be without the competition's leading try-scorer, Israel Folau, who is recovering from a swelling in his throat.

Coach Michael Cheika also made four changes, which included debutant Jonno Lance at fullback.