The Cell C Sharks backline shows two injury-enforced changes for this Saturday’s Vodacom Super Rugby derby clash against the visiting Cheetahs at Growthpoint KINGS PARK.

Odwa Ndungane’s upper shoulder knock sustained against the Lions in their victory over the Joburg side last week sees him replaced by Tonderai Chavhanga who has been getting game time for the Cell C Sharks XV in the Vodacom Cup following his return from injury and makes his debut for the Cell C Sharks at this level.

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Chavhanga’s six tries on debut for the Springboks remains a record and he went on to play in four Tests for South Africa between 2005 and 2008. The other change comes at flyhalf where Fred Zeilinga is replaced by Tim Swiel.

In a purely rotational switch, Keegan Daniel will start at eighthman with Ryan Kankowski getting a well-deserved breather, having started all seven of the previous matches his season.

The final change comes on the bench where Heimar Williams replaces Paul Jordaan.

Assessing the Cheetahs, Director of Rugby Jake White acknowledges the fact that it is the team with the best attack against the team with the best defence. In the Cell C Sharks’ defence, they have the second best attack in the competition (and have played one match less than the Cheetahs).

“We have the least number of points scored against us in the competition, we’re the team with the best defensive record and interestingly enough, they have the highest number of points for, although they have the highest number of points scored against them as well,” he points out.

“As a coach, you know they are dangerous with ball in hand but there are opportunities to score against them because they are so attack orientated.

“What they’ve gone for is all-out attack, so when they turn the ball over, players aren’t in a defensive mindset or positions, so they can leak tries. But the most important thing for us is that it is an opportunity to play against another team with a different style. The Reds have a unique style, the Bulls have a unique style, the Waratahs have a unique style and this Cheetahs side obviously have a style that suits them and works for them. But they probably haven’t had the reward they want.”

Cell C Sharks: 15 Peter Grant, 14 Damian de Allende, 13 Juan de Jongh, 12 Jean de Villiers (Captain), 11 Sailosi Tagicakibau, 10 Demetri Catrakilis, 9 Nick Groom, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Siya Kolisi, 6 Nizaam Carr, 5 Michael Rhodes, 4 Ruan Botha, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Deon Fourie, 1 Steven Kitshoff
Replacements: 16 Stephan Coetzee, 17 Pat Cilliers, 18 Brok Harris, 19 Jurie van Vuuren, 20 Sikhumbuszo Notshe, 21 Louis Schreuder, 22 Devon Williams, 23 Michael van der Spuy / Jaco Taute.