Thomas du Toit will lead the Sharks in their URC match against Ospreys on Friday. Picture: Getty Images
The Sharks have a new captain in prop Thomas du Toit, while Curwin Bosch has been left out of the team for the United Rugby Championship match against Ospreys on Friday.
These are just some of the changes made to the team by coach Sean Everitt ahead of the round three match.
In other changes, Ntuthuko Mchunu comes in for Khwezi Mona and Kerron van Vuuren for Fez Mbatha (injured) who has not recovered from a knock that he took against Glasgow.
Du Toit is retained at tighthead prop though and has also been handed the captaincy role in the absence of Phepsi Buthelezi, who plays off the bench this week.
Hyron Andrews and Ruben van Heerden make a return as the lock partnership, with Le Roux Roets getting a break, while James Venter comes in for Dylan Richardson with Henco Venter named at eighthman.
In the midfield, Marius Louw and Jeremy Ward will partner up in place of Murray Koster and Werner Kok while Marnus Potgieter replaces Yaw Penxe and Anthony Volmink will start at fullback in place of Bosch.
Potgieter, Volmink and Dan Jooste (on the bench) will be making their URC debuts in this match.
“Ospreys play close to the style of Wales, they are a massive kicking side that likes to maul. They’re very defence orientated and will try stifle your play and box you in your own 22 and make it as hard as possible for you to get out,” said skills coach Phiwe Nomlomo.
He added that playing three different teams from three different countries in successive weeks demands adaptations to counter the different styles of each side.
“Just last week, we were playing against internationals in almost every single position and look at our guys, many of them only 22 or 23, so we were up against a side that have done this before, they’ve travelled all around the world.
“With 13 of our key players unavailable due to national duty or injury, we have a bit of catching up as far as caps go with a relatively young squad, but we are working hard and up for the challenge. We’re learning and we’re learning fast.”
Sharks: Anthony Volmink, Marnus Potgieter, Jeremy Ward, Marius Louw, Thaakir Abrahams, Boeta Chamberlain, Ruan Pienaar, Henco Venter, Gerbrandt Grobler, James Venter, Hyron Andrews, Ruben van Heerden, Thomass du Toit (capt), Kerron van Vuuren, Ntuthuko Mchunu.
Bench: Dan Jooste, Khwezi Mona, Lourens Adriaanse, Le Roux Roets, Phepsi Buthelezi, Dylan Richardson, Sanele Nohamba, Werner Kok