Johannesburg – Keegan Daniel has returned to the Sharks but will not captain the team in their Currie Cup contest against the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein on Friday.
The regular skipper has been reintroduced as one of three changes after recovering from a knee injury. He will play on the flank with number eight Jacques Botes retaining the armband he wore in the first two games.
Brynard Stander misses out because of a ligament problem.
Sizo Maseko is also back in the side after coming through a fitness test. He comes in on the wing for Odwa Ndungane (hamstring), while utility back SP Marais is shifted to fullback.
The final change is rotational as veteran flyhalf Butch James drops to the bench behind youngster Fred Zeilinga.
“Fred has come off the bench and done really well,” backline coach Sean Everitt said.
“His kicking has been really good and he deserves a chance. At the same time it’s also a rotational switch. We want to give players opportunities.”
The Sharks won for the first time in the competition last week when they beat the Lions 33-25 after they were stunned 32-30 by Griquas on the opening weekend.
“It’s been a tense 160 minutes of rugby so we were very happy with the win and getting our campaign on track,” Everitt added.
“We’ve been together for three weeks and new things were put in place and it takes a while for things to become a habit so that the players can do things on the field sub-consciously.”
The Sharks team : SP Marais, Sizo Maseko, Louis Ludik, Heimar Williams, Lwazi Mvovo, Fred Zeilinga, Charl McLeod, Jacques Botes (captain), Jean Deysel, Keegan Daniel, Marco Wentzel, Edwin Hewitt, Wiehahn Herbst, Kyle Cooper, Dale Chadwick.
Replacements: Craig Burden, Rayno Gerber, Peet Marais, Tera Mtembu, Cobus Reinach, Butch James, Jaco van Tonder. – Sapa