The Sharks have named their side to face DHL Western Province away at Newlands, Cape Town on Saturday 7 September at 19:10.
Butch James reclaims the flyhalf starting berth in favour of Fred Zeilinga who had a stellar performance against the Vodacom Blue Bulls last weekend.
Rayno Gerber gets to start at tighthead prop and Wiehahn Herbst is relegated to the bench.
Quotes by coach Brad Macleod-Henderson:
“Western Province is a quality side and are the only unbeaten team in the 2013 Absa Currie Cup. The fact that they haven’t lost yet, just shows how good they are, they have fantastic defence so it will be really tough on Saturday.”
Quotes from Backline Coach, Sean Everitt:
“We’ve made a few rotational changes. Butch comes in for Fred in a purely rotational switch because Fred has done well over the last couple of weeks, but it is Butch’s turn to start. Danie Mienie will get a start, he’s been training hard with us for the last five weeks and deserves a start and Rayno Gerber will come in at tighthead.
“Tim Whitehead had an unfortunate run with injuries but Heimar Williams has filled in well over the last couple of weeks. It will now be another opportunity for Tim and we know what he’s capable of. Charl has been on top of his game throughout the Currie Cup season, but we have two very good scrumhalves and we need to develop both of them and keep them both fit.”
Sharks Team: 15 SP Marais, 14 Sizo Maseko, 13 Louis Ludik, 12 Tim Whitehead, 11 Lwazi Mvovo, 10 Butch James *, 9 Cobus Reinach, 8. Jacques Botes (Captain), 7 Jean Deysel, 6 Keegan Daniel, 5 Marco Wentzel, 4 Peet Marais, 3 Rayno Gerber, 2 Craig Burden, 1 Danie Mienie
Replacements: 16 Kyle Cooper, 17 Wiehahan Herbst, 18 Edwin Hewitt, 19 Justin Downey, 20 Charl McLeod, 21 Fred Zeilinga, 22 Jaco van Tonder.
* 50th Absa Currie Cup Cap for The Sharks.