The Shark have named close on their strongest starting line-up for Saturday’s Absa semi-final clash with Free State as they look to emulate four of the past five campaigns.
The Sharks featured in the 2008, 2010, 2011 and 2012 finals and will be hoping to make it a fifth appointment (seeking their third victorious campaign after titles in 2008 and 2010) this year if they can see off Free State’s challenge.
Sharks Media Release
They have been bolstered by the return to action of Francois Steyn who gets his first Currie Cup start of the year and he is one of 11 capped Springbok players in the starting XV. He will partner Louis Ludik at centre with Pat Lambie returning to start at flyhalf.
Wiehahn Herbst comes into the front row to replace Jannie du Plessis who injured his hand in training this week.
“It will be a completely different game to when we last played the Cheetahs here,” admits Sharks forwards coach Brad Macleod-Henderson. “We’ve got a tough game on our hands, they’ve got a big forward pack and some strong ball-carriers that we will need to take care of.
“And then they have some exciting backs, a dangerous nine who likes to snipe around the fringes, and a good centre pairing and very good wings. Then from our own point of view, we must make sure we are strong in the set-piece and play to the structures we know we can.”
The Sharks: 15 SP Marais, 14 Odwa Ndungane, 13 Louis Ludik, 12 Francois Steyn, 11 Lwazi Mvovo, 10 Patrick Lambie, 9 Charl McLeod, 8 Keegan Daniel (Captain), 7 Jean Deysel, 6 Marcell Coetzee, 5 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 4 Peet Marais, 3 Wiehahn Herbst, 2 Bismarck du Plessis, 1 Tendai Mtawarira
Replacements: 16 Kyle Cooper, 17 Danie Mienie, 18 Stephan Lewies, 19 Jacques Botes, 20 Cobus Reinach, 21 Fred Zeilinga, 22 Heimar Williams.