The Hollywoodbets Sharks will take continuity into their round 17 Vodacom United Rugby Championship clash with Ospreys at Hollywoodbets Kings Park on Friday night at 19:00 (SA Time).
Head coach John Plumtree has largely stuck with the team that defeated Ulster 22-19 in Belfast two weeks ago as he makes just three changes to his side for this match.
There’s just the one change to the pack with Dian Bleuler coming in for Ox Nche (who is ill) at loosehead prop, while Siya Masuku replaces Jordan Hendrikse at flyhalf and Jurenzo Julius takes over from Lukhanyo Am at outside centre.
The latter two play off the bench, with Francois Venter and Yaw Penxe named as their replacements.
After two vital overseas wins in successive weekends, the Hollywoodbets Sharks on fourth place on the log, seven ahead of Cardiff, who face the rampant Vodacom Bulls at Loftus on Saturday.
The Durban side need just three log points from the final two weekends to ensure a home quarter and semi-final (should they make the last four), but in this penultimate round will be looking for a full house of log points to nail down a top four place – or higher should other results go their way.
Not to be distracted by other matches, the Hollywoodbets Sharks will have as their focus their own preparation and performances, leaving other results to take care of themselves.
Hollywoodbets Sharks: 1 Dian Bleuler, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 3 Vincent Koch, 4 Eben Etzebeth (c), 5 Jason Jenkins, 6 James Venter, 7 Vincent Tshituka, 8 Siya Kolisi, 9 Jaden Hendrikse, 10 Siya Masuku, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 13 Jurenzo Julius, 14 Ethan Hooker, 15 Aphelele Fassi. Replacements: 16 Fez Mbatha, 17 Ntuthuko Mchunu, 18 Hanro Jacobs, 19 Emmanuel Tshituka, 20 Phepsi Buthelezi, 21 Bradley Davids, 22 Francois Venter, 23 Yaw Penxe.
Players not available for selection due to injury or illness: Corne Rahl, Dylan Richardson, Emile van Heerden, Gerbrandt Grobler, Grant Williams, Henry Immelman, Jordan Hendrikse, Lukhanyo Am, Marnus Potgieter, Ox Nche, Ruan Dryer, Trevor Nyakane.