Saracens have named their side to face the Cell C Sharks in Saturday’s Sanlam Private Investments Shield match at Allianz Park, London, with kick-off at 16:30 SA Time (14:30 GMT).
Steve Borthwick will captain the side from lock, and is partnered by England second-rower Mouritz Botha.
Sport24
In the front row, British and Irish Lions tighthead Matt prop Matt Stevens starts, and is joined by Springbok hooker Schalk Brits and Richard Barrington.
Former Blue Bulls flanker Jacques Burger returns to the side to start in the seven shirt.
He is joined by former Western Province loose-forward Justin Melck and the experienced former Golden Lions No.8 Ernst Joubert in the back-row.
At half back, South African international Neil de Kock is partnered by the English Premiership’s record points scorer Charlie Hodgson, whilst in the midfield, Argentine international Marcelo Bosch is joined by Fijian flyer Michael Tagicakibau to form an all international centre partnership.
European rugby’s leading try scorer David Strettle starts on the left wing and is partnered by 2011 Premiership final match winner James Short on the flanks. USA international full-back Chris Wyles makes up the starting XV, playing at full-back.
Saturday’s match is live on SuperSport 1 & SHD.
Teams:
Saracens: 15 Chris Wyles; 14 James Short, 13 Michael Tagicakibau, 12 Marcelo Bosch, 11 David Strettle; 10 Charlie Hodgson, 9 Neil de Kock, 8 Ernst Joubert 7 Jacques Burger, 6 Justin Melck, 5 Mouritz Botha, 4 Steve Borthwick (Captain), 3 Matt Stevens, 2 Schalk Brits, 1 Richard Barrington
Replacements: 16 Scott Spurling, 17 Nick Auterac, 18 Petrus Du Plessis, 19 Tom Jubb, 20 Takashi Kikutani, 21 Richard Wigglesworth, 22 Duncan Taylor, 23 Sam Stanley.
Sharks: 15 Tyler Fisher, 14 Odwa Ndungane, 13 Paul Jordaan, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Lwazi Mvovo, 10 Tim Swiel, 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Willem Alberts, 7 Jean Deysel, 6 Tera Mtembu, 5 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 4 Etienne Oosthuizen, 3 Jannie du Plessis, 2 Bismarck du Plessis (Captain), 1 Tendai Mtawarira
Replacements: 16 Kyle Cooper, 17 Dale Chadwick, 18 Lourens Adriaanse, 19 Stephan Lewies, 20 Jacques Botes, 21 Charl McLeod, 22 Heimar Williams, 23 Jaco van Tonder.
This is the Saracens team that played in Heineken Cup this past weekend: 15 Alex Goode, 14 Chris Ashton, 13 Duncan Taylor, 12 Brad Barritt, 11 David Strettle, 10 Charlie Hodgson, 9 Richard Wigglesworth, 8 Ernst Joubert, 7 Kelly Brown, 6 Billy Vunipola, 5 George Kruis, 4 Steve Borthwick (captain), 3 Matt Stevens, 2 Schalk Brits, 1 Mako Vunipola.
Replacements: 16 Jamie George, 17 Richard Barrington, 18 James Johnston, 19 Alistair Hargreaves, 20 Jackson Wray, 21 Neil de Kock, 22 Owen Farrell, 23 Chris Wyles.
Looks a lot different to the one playing the Sharks who won’t be facing -Goode, Ashton, Barritt, Brown, 2 Vunipolas, Hargreaves, Farrell, Kruis, George, Johnston, Wray
I have scheduled Saturday’s Live Game article for this game.
Although I won’t be here for the weekend, I have left it in the capable hands of Timothy to be your captain for the game.
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