Sharks coach John Plumtree has chosen to stick with his players who have kept the Sharks unbeaten in this year’s Currie Cup instead of bringing back a raft of Springboks.

Seven Springboks were released back to the Sharks for Currie Cup duty but Adrian Jacobs and Alistair Hargreaves were not considered due to injury and Plumtree has chosen to rest Odwa Ndungane and Lwazi Mvovo.

That means that Ryan Kankowski, scrumhalf Charl McLeod and flyhalf Patrick Lambie are the only Boks to come back into the Sharks team but Freddie Michalak holds on to his place ahead of Lambie.

There is one change to the starting line up as Jan Andre Marais comes in for Ross Skeate who is nursing a groin strain.

“I must admit that I was pretty surprised to get Pat back,” explained Plumtree on the Sharks site.

“I thought he went well against the All Blacks in Wellington last weekend. ”

“And while I hadn’t expected it, it’s a great bonus to have him back.”

The Sharks

15. Louis Ludik , 14. Mark Richards , 13. Stefan Terblanche , 12. Meyer Bosman , 11. Sibusiso Sithole , 10. Frederic Michalak , 9. Ross Cronje , 8. Keegan Daniel (Captain) , 7. Marcell Coetzee , 6. Jacques Botes , 5. Jan Andre Marais , 4. Anton Bresler , 3. Wiehahn Herbst , 2. Craig Burden , 1. Dale Chadwick.

Replacements: 16. Kyle Cooper , 17. Eugene van Staden , 18. Peet Marais , 19. Ryan Kankowski , 20. Charl McLeod , 21. Patrick Lambie , 22. Marius Joubert.