The Hollywoodbets Sharks will attempt to remain unbeaten against the Dragons RFC on Friday evening at the Rodney Parade, Newport, 21:05 (SA Time).
The Hollywoodbets Sharks will be looking for their first win of the new campaign against a Dragons RFC side that has struggled at home. Their last victory at Rodney Parade was in the opening round last season, by 23-21 over the Ospreys.
The Dragons RFC have also not beaten a South African opponent since the Pro14 became the Vodacom URC, which will be a shot in the arm for the visitors from Durban.
Hollywoodbets Sharks head coach John Plumtree has kept his forward pack intact from last week, while he brings in three changes to the backline.
Jean Smith takes over from Jaden Hendrikse, who filled in at flyhalf last week, but reverts to scrumhalf, with Ross Braude playing off the bench.
Lukhanyo Am shifts from outside to inside centre, opening the way for Jurenzo Julius to come in as his midfield partner, and the final change sees Edwill van der Merwe moving to fullback in place of the injured Yaw Penxe, with PK Sobahle named on the wing.
Much of the continuity is based on the positives the team took from their week one match against Glasgow last week.
Tonga international duo Fetuli Paea and Fine Inisi will make their home debuts. Summer recruit Paea starts his first game following his Pacific Nations Cup exploits as Head Coach Filo Tiatia makes four changes from the side that lost out in Belfast on the opening weekend.
Inisi comes onto the left wing, with Jared Rosser ruled out through injury, in the other change to the back line. Tinus de Beer makes his home league debut at fly-half.
Hooker Brodie Coghlan starts his first game of the season, replacing the injured Elliot Dee, while Wyn Jones and Rob Hunt make full home league debuts up front.
The final change is a call-up for Ryan Woodman in the back row, where he secures the blindside jersey. Shane Lewis-Hughes moves to openside.
Changes to the replacements include call-ups for hooker Oli Burrows – who could make his first appearance since December – Wales international prop Chris Coleman, and centre Harri Ackerman.
Teams
Dragons RFC: 15 Angus O’Brien (cc), 14 Rio Dyer, 13 Joe Westwood, 12 Aneurin Owen, 11 Jared Rosser, 10 Tinus de Beer, 9 Rhodri Williams, 8 Aaron Wainwright, 7 Harrison Keddie, 6 Shane Lewis-Hughes, 5 Ben Carter (cc), 4 Matthew Screech, 3 Rob Hunt, 2 Elliot Dee, 1 Wyn Jones. Replacements: 16 Brodie Coghlan, 17 Rodrigo Martinez, 18 Dillon Lewis, 19 Levi Douglas, 20 Mackenzie Martin, 21 Che Hope, 22 Fine Inisi, 23 Huw Anderson.
Hollywoodbets Sharks: 15 Edwill van der Merwe, 14 Phiko Sobahle, 13 Jurenzo Julius, 12 Lukhanyo Am, 11 Christie Grobbelaar, 10 Jean Smith, 9 Jaden Hendrikse, 8 Vincent Tshituka (c), 7 Manu Tshituka, 6 Phepsi Buthelezi, 5 Marvin Orie, 4 Deon Slabbert, 3 Ruan Dreyer, 2 Fez Mbatha, 1 Simphiwe Matanzima. Replacements: 16 Eduan Swart, 17 Cameron Dawson, 18 Cebo Dlamini, 19 Bathobele Hlekani, 20 Nick Hatton, 21 Ross Braude, 22 Francois Venter, 23 Hakeem Kunene.
