DURBAN – Sharks coach Robert du Preez has sprung a surprise by dropping red-hot youngster Curwin Bosch to the bench for Saturday’s big Super Rugby derby against the Lions in Durban.
The coach has preferred fit-again Lwazi Mvovo at fullback and Garth April at flyhalf, with Bosch providing cover from the bench for both positions.
Mvovo has recovered from a thumb injury, and other backs to regain their places after injury are outside centre Lukhanyo Am and wing Kobus van Wyk.
Am was the form outside centre in the country until breaking a cheekbone six weeks ago.
In the forwards, Jean-Luc du Preez is also over his injury and will be paired with his brother in a loose trio completed by captain Philip van der Walt.
The Sharks are pretty much at full-strength, the exception being Tendai Mtawarira (neck strain), but they will be well served at loosehead prop by rising star Thomas du Toit.
Sharks Team
15 Lwazi Mvovo, 14 Kobus van Wyk, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 André Esterhuizen, 11 Sbu Nkosi, 10 Garth April, 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Daniel du Preez, 7 Jean-Luc du Preez, 6 Philip van der Walt (captain), 5 Stephan Lewies, 4 Etienne Oosthuizen, 3 Coenie Oosthuizen, 2 Chiliboy Ralepelle, 1 Thomas du Toit.
Bench:16 Stephan Coetzee, 17 Juan Schoeman, 18 Lourens Adriaanse, 19 Jean Droste, 20 Tera Mtembu, 21 Michael Claassens, 22 Curwin Bosch, 23 Jeremy Ward.