URC news: All you need to know about the SA teams in action this weekend

All four South African United Rugby Championship teams are in action this weekend when the competition resumes following the Six Nations break.

Here’s everything you need to know about the matches and team news.

Sharks

Sharks coach John Plumtree has picked 11 Springboks in his matchday-23 for their match against Ulster in Durban at 3pm Saturday. The Sharks are at the bottom of the points table having won just one match all season. Ulster are fifth with seven wins from their 11 games.

Grant Williams is not available because of injury. The side will be led by Lukhanyo Am and includes Siya Masuku at flyhalf.

Bok World Cup winners Bongi Mbonambi and Vincent Koch are also in the side after spending time on the sidelines with injury, with the latter set to make his Sharks debut.

Sharks team: Aphelele Fassie, Eduan Keyter, Lukhanyo Am (capt), Ethan Hooker, Makazole Mapimpi, Siya Masuku, Jaden Hendrikse, George Cronje, Vincent Tshituka, Phepsi Buthulezi, Gerbrandt Grobler, Eben Etzebeth, Hanro Jacobs, Bongi Mbonambi, Ntuthuko Mchunu. Bench: Kerron van Vuuren, Ox Nche, Vincent Koch, Corne Rahl, Jeandre Labuschagne, Cameron Wright, Curwin Bosch, Francois Venter

Stormers

Salmaan Moerat will make his first start since returning from injury and will lead the Stormers in their encounter with Edinburgh in Cape Town on Saturday, with kick off at 5.05pm.

Also back from injury are props Frans Malherbe and Lizo Gqoboka, while Wandisile Simelane makes his first start for the team at outside centre.

With Warrick Gelant rested, Damian Willemse starts at fullback where he will link up with wings Leolin Zas and Suleiman Hartzenberg. Veteran Deon Fourie is ruled out with a minor injury.

The Stormers are ninth on the points table while Edinburgh are fourth.

Stormers team: Damian Willemse, Suleiman Hartzenberg, Wandisile Simelane, Dan du Plessis, Leolin Zas, Manie Libbok, Paul de Wet, Evan Roos, Ben-Jason Dixon, Nama Xaba, Ruben van Heerden, Salmaan Moerat (capt), Frans Malherbe, Andre-Hugo Venter, Brok Harris. Bench: Joseph Dweba, Lizo Gqoboka, Neethling Fouche, Connor Evans, Hacjivah Dayimani, Herschel Jantjies, Jurie Matthee, Ben Loader

Lions

Sanele Nohamba and Jordan Hendrikse will partner each other at 9 and 10 for the Lions when they take on Connacht in Ireland at 7.15pm on Saturday.

Erich Cronje comes into the team at centre in place of the injured Henco van Wyk, while almost forgotten winger Stean Pienaar comes into the matchday-23 on the bench.

The Lions are 11th on the points table after recording five wins from 11 games while Connacht are seventh with seven wins.

Lions team: Quan Horn, Richard Kriel, Erich Cronje, Marius Louw, Edwill van der Merwe, Jordan Hendrikse, Sanele Nohamba, Francke Horn, Emmanuel Tshituka, JC Pretorius, Reinhard Nothnagel, Etienne Oosthuizen, Asenathi Ntlabakanye, PJ Botha, JP Smith. Bench: Jaco Visagie, Morgan Naude, Conraad van Vuuren, Darrien Landsberg, Izan Esterhuizen, Hanru Sirgel, Morne van den Berg, Stean Pienaar

Bulls

Rugby fans will finally see exciting outside back Canan Moodie at centre for the Bulls when the second-placed team on the URC log take on the Welsh Dragons at 9.35pm Saturday.

David Kriel and Stedman Gans are rested so Moodie will partner Harold Vorster in midfield. Willie le Roux is at fullback while Sebastian de Klerk will get a chance on the wing.

There’s also a new-look halfback pairing in Zak Burger and Chris Smith while up front, in the most significant change, Jan-Hendrik Wessels gets a go at hooker.

The Dragons are 15th having picked up just two wins all season.

Bulls team: Willie le Roux, Sebastian de Klerk, Canan Moodie, Harold Vorster, Kurt-Lee Arendse, Chris Smith, Zak Burger, Marcell Coetzee (capt), Mpilo Gumede, Marco van Staden, Ruan Nortje, Ruan Vermaak, Wilco Louw, Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Gerhard Steenekamp. Bench: Johan Grobbelaar, Simphiwe Matanzima, Mornay Smith, Reinhard Ludwig, Nizaam Carr, Embrose Papier, Johan Goosen, Devon Williams