Out-of-favour Springbok centre Andre Snyman will have his first opportunity to work his way back towards the World Cup selection frame when the Sharks visit Griquas in Kimberley on Saturday.
After being given time off last week to gather his thoughts, Snyman reported for Currie Cup duty this week and teamed up with Rudi Keil in a new-look Sharks midfield.
The team is still to be announced, but this was the combination that was doing duty in an otherwise unchanged backline.
Last week's midfield, Trevor Halstead and Deon Kayser, look set to miss out.
In likely changes to the pack, fit-again AJ Venter will play at lock in place of injured Albert van den Berg and John Smit will take over from Lukas van Biljon who has departed for Brisbane on Springbok duty.
Luke Watson is not yet over his leg problem which means that Solly Tylibika gets the chance to build on his impressive debut last week against the Eagles.
Flank Charl van Rensburg has shrugged off his ankle complaint and ran freely at training.
There is still no sign of Ollie le Roux, who has been hampered by hamstring injuries for some time now.
New Griquas coach Kobus van der Merwe is not having the best of starts.
After losing by 50 points to Free State, Van der Merwe has started his week with a double injury blow.
Flyhalf Quinton von Tonder suffered a groin injury on Tuesday night and then, at the same training session, scrumhalf Eben Oliver pulled a stomach muscle.
Neither of the two key players is likely to play against Natal, a huge blow when you consider that new flyhalf signing Gareth Wright is only cleared to play next week.
The probable inclusion of Snyman sets up a classic confrontation with Griquas outside centre Dries Scholtz.
Scholtz, one of the stars for Griquas in the qualifying tournament, has a massive following up north and there has been growing pressure on Rudolf Straeuli to include him in the Bok squad.