Coach JP Pietersen has announced a re-jigged Sharks XV lineup to face defending Currie Cup champions, the Cheetahs, in Bloemfontein on Saturday.
The Cheetahs are in third place on the standings, with the Sharks heading to Free State Stadium two positions down in fifth. Two wins and a draw from their last three outings has propelled the Durbanites up the log.
Pietersen has made just four changes to last week’s side that scored six tries in a 40-21 victory over Griquas at Kings Park, with a new-look front row in Dian Bleuler, Dan Jooste and Kabous Bezuidenhout for Abraham Reyneke, Ethan Bester and Mawande Mdanda.
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There is just one change to the backline where Alwayno Visagie replaces Jurenzo Julius at inside centre.
“What a nice challenge for this young team, going to Bloem and to test the character of the group more,” Pietersen said.
“The more we get tested, the better we will get and that’s the thing with rugby: always being up for the challenge which is something they have shown this season.”
Sharks – 15 Hakeem Kunene, 14 Eduan Keyter, 13 Litelihle Bester, 12 Alwayno Visagie, 11 Yaw Penxe, 10 Lionel Cronje, 9 Jaden Hendrikse, 8 Nick Hatton (c), 7 Jannes Potgieter, 6 Tino Mavesere, 5 Reniel Hugo, 4 Bathobele Hlekani, 3 Kabous Bezuidenhout, 2 Dan Jooste, 1 Dian Bleuler.
Subs: 16 Bryce Calvert, 17 Braam Reyneke, 18 Mawande Mdandat, 19 Coetzee le Roux, 20 Hennie Sieberhagen, 21 Siya Ningiza, 22 Bradley Davids, 23 Tiaan Swanepoel.
Photo: Steve Haag Sports/Gallo Images
The post Sharks switch things up for Cheetahs clash appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Src: sarugbymag.co.za
