Cell C Sharks Head Coach Sean Everitt has made a few changes to his side this week that will travel to Johannesburg to play the Xerox Lions on Saturday evening @ 19h00.
Kerron van Vuuren is back as the starting hooker with the impressive Michael Kumbirai named as the tighthead prop after the loss of Thomas du Toit to a rib injury sustained in the Cell C Sharks’ 32-29 victory over the Bulls in Durban last weekend.
JJ van der Mescht and Ashton Fortuin form a new second-row partnership in an otherwise unchanged starting line-up captained by Lukhanyo Am.
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.
Returning to the side and playing off the bench are front row replacements Fezo Mbatha, Mzamo Majola and John Hubert-Meyer, while loose forward James Venter is another welcome returnee after missing recent action.
Cell C Sharks: 1. Ox Nche, 2. Kerron van Vuuren, 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. Fezo Mbatha, 17. Mzamo Majola, 18. John Hubert-Meyer, 19. Thembelani Bholi, 20. James Venter, 21. Phepsi Buthelezi, 22. Jaden Hendrikse, 23. Jeremy Ward.