The Sharks will have to do without Springbok prop Thomas du Toit for their Currie Cup crunch match against the Lions at Ellis Park.
Du Toit suffered a fractured rib during the Sharks bruising encounter with the Bulls at Kings Park last weekend and will not travel to Johannesburg.
Du Toit out for the Sharks
The injury comes as a huge blow to the Sharks whose scrum has struggled when Du Toit has been unavailable.
The Sharks will likely look to former Western Province prop Michael Kumberai who deputised at tighthead after Du Toit left the field in the 32-29 win over the Bulls.
Skipper of the Sharks Lukhanyo Am has been happy with the progress the team has made in recent weeks and hopes they can maintain their momentum against the Lions.
Keeping the roll going
“We are slowly getting there, we’re gradually getting to where we want to be.” said Am. “We are starting to do the small things right. We did a lot of homework before the Bulls match and it was definitely an important result for us, especially coming off a bye.”
“It is still a work-on for us to deliver a complete 80-minute performance — against the Bulls we had a bad dip at the start of the second half before rallying to pull it off,” the captain added.
Sharks captain Lukhanyo Am
The Lions have themselves found form in recent weeks and Am expects another clash with Test-match level intensity at Ellis Park.
“The Sharks and the Lions at Ellis Park always produces incredibly tough encounters,” Am said. “I have never had it easy there and this will be another exciting game. They are a good side that likes to keep possession and move the ball.
“They are a team on the rise after some early disappointments. They will be a tough nut to crack.”
JJ van der Mescht and Aston Fortuin form a new second row partnership in an otherwise unchanged starting line-up.
The 114kg Fortuin has turned out for the Bulls and more recently with the Southern Kings and combined with the 120kg van der Mescht, adds bulk and strength to the pack.
Sharks team
1. Ox Nche
2. Kerron van Vurren
3. Michael Kumbirai
4. JJ van der Mescht
5. Aston Fortuin*
6. Dylan Richardson
7. Henco Venter
8. Sikhumbuzo Notshe
9. Sanele Nohamba
10. Curwin Bosch
11. Yaw Penxe
12. Marius Louw
13. Lukhanyo Am (c)
14. Sbu Nkosi
15. Manie Libbok
REPLACEMENTS
16. Fezokuhle Mbatha
17. Mzamo Majola
18. John Hubert-Meyer
19. Thembelani Bholi
20. James Venter
21. Phepsi Buthelezi
22. Jaden Hendrikse
23. Jeremy Ward
*Denotes debut for the Sharks
