The highly anticipated all-South African URC semi-final – which marks the Bulls’ second successive URC home semi-final, and the first time ever that the Sharks vie for a place in the top two – will kick off at Loftus Versfeld at 18:15 on Saturday.

Both coaches named sides loaded with Springboks, which will set the scene for a nail-biting encounter.

Bulls coach Jake White made only one change to his starting lineup that defeated Edinburgh, recalling Springbok flyhalf Johan Goosen, which means Keagan Johannes is now on the replacements’ bench.

Sharks coach John Plumtree, meanwhile, made two changes to his starting team that defeated Munster in a penalty shootout last week after losing Bok locks Eben Etzebeth and Jason Jenkins to injuries, which will see Corné Rahl partner up with Emile van Heerden in the engine room.

There are also two changes on the bench, with Deon Slabbert and Jurenzo Julius included amongst the replacements.

Earlier in the day, Leinster will go head-to-head with the defending champions, the Glasgow Warriors, in the other semi-final at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin at 15:45, with that result set to determine where the Grand Final will be hosted.

Sharks v Bulls URC match information:

Teams:

Bulls: 15 Willie le Roux, 14 Canan Moodie, 13 David Kriel, 12 Harold Vorster, 11 Sebastian de Klerk, 10 Johan Goosen, 9 Embrose Papier, 8 Cameron Hanekom, 7 Ruan Nortje (Captain), 6 Marcell Coetzee, 5 JF van Heerden, 4 Cobus Wiese, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Johan Grobbelaar, 1 Jan-Hendrik Wessels.

Replacements: 16 Akker van der Merwe, 17 Simphiwe Matanzima, 18 Mornay Smith, 19 Jannes Kirsten, 20 Marco van Staden, 21 Zak Burger, 22 Keagan Johannes, 23 Devon Williams.

Sharks: 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Ethan Hooker, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Jordan Hendrikse, 9 Jaden Hendrikse, 8 Siya Kolisi (Captain), 7 Vincent Tshituka, 6 James Venter, 5 Emile van Heerden, 4 Corne’ Rahl, 3 Vincent Koch, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Ox Nche.

Replacements: 16 Fez Mbatha, 17 Ntuthuko Mchunu, 18 Hanro Jacobs, 19 Deon Slabbert, 20 Phepsi Buthelezi, 21 Bradley Davids, 22 Jurenzo Julius, 23 Yaw Penxe.

Date: Saturday, 7 June

Venue: Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria

SA Time: 18h15

Referee: Andrew Brace

TV: SuperSport

WHAT IS YOUR SCORE PREDICTION?

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Src: TheSouthAfrican.com - https://rugga.co.za/sharks/bulls-v-sharks-teams-kick-off-time-for-urc-semi-final/