Sharks make changes up front

Cape Town - Sharks Director of Rugby Gary Gold has named his team for their Super Rugby clash against the Blues in Auckland on Saturday.

Gold has made a few changes to his pack from the one which started in last weekend’s 24-9 home loss to the Lions.

No 8 Philip van der Walt is back in the starting line-up after recovering from a neck injury.

He replaces Dan du Preez who moves into the No 6 position in place of Marcell Coetzee, who is ruled out for the Super Rugby season with a knee injury.

Stephan Lewies is also back at lock in place of Hyron Andrews, who drops down to the bench.

Lourens Adriaanse starts at tighthead prop in place of Coenie Oosthuizen, with the latter dropping down to the bench.

The Sharks backline remains unchanged for Saturday’s clash at Eden Park (kick-off 09:35 SA time)

Teams:

Blues 

15 Lolagi Visinia, 14 Rieko Ioane, 13 Rene Ranger, 12 Piers Francis, 11 Tevita Li, 10 Ihaia West, 9 Bryn Hall, 8 Steven Luatua, 7 Tanerau Latimer/Kara Pryor, 6 Jerome Kaino, 5 Josh Bekhuis, 4 Hoani Matenga, 3 Charlie Faumuina, 2 James Parsons (captain), 1 Sam Prattley.

Substitutes: 16 Quentin MacDonald, 17 Namatahi Waa, 18 Ofa Tu’ungafasi, 19 Kara Pryor/Joe Edwards, 20 Akira Ioane, 21 Billy Guyton, 22 Matt McGahan, 23 George Moala

Sharks 

15. Willie le Roux, 14. JP Pietersen, 13. Paul Jordaan, 12. Andre Esterhuizen, 11. Lwazi Mvovo, 10. Joe Pietersen, 9. Cobus Reinach, 8. Philip van der Walt, 7. Jean-Luc du Preez, 6. Daniel du Preez, 5. Stephan Lewies, 4. Etienne Oosthuizen, 3. Lourens Adriaanse, 2. Franco Marais, 1. Tendai Mtawarira (captain)

Substitutes: 16. Kyle Cooper, 17. Thomas du Toit, 18. Coenie Oosthuizen, 19. Hyron Andrews, 20. Keegan Daniel, 21. Michael Claassens, 22. Garth April, 23. Odwa Ndungane