Sharks ready to tackle in-form Hurricanes

Jean Deysel of the Sharks during the 2015 Super Rugby match between Sharks and Lions at the Kings Park Stadium in Durban on the 21st of February 2015 ©Sabelo Mngoma/BackpagePix

Jean Deysel of the Sharks during the 2015 Super Rugby match between Sharks and Lions at the Kings Park Stadium in Durban on the 21st of February 2015 ©Sabelo Mngoma/BackpagePix

Published May 6, 2016

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Johannesburg - The Sharks mark their return from their overseas leg with a home match against an in-form Hurricanes at Kings Park in Durban at 3pm on Saturday.

In a planned rotational switch, Springbok prop Beast Mtawarira returns to the Sharks' starting team and will lead the side after sitting out last week's game against the Chiefs in New Plymouth.

In the front row, due to the rotation, Franco Marais comes back at hooker for Kyle Cooper and Mtawarira replaces Dale Chadwick, who moves to the bench.

Bok flyhalf Patrick Lambie, the man who was appointed as the permanent captain for the season, also returned from injury and is on the bench for the match. Utility back Joe Pietersen drops out of the match-day 23 to accommodate the returning Lambie, with the promising Garth April continuing as the starting No 10.

The Sharks have won four of their last six matches against the Hurricanes, though the New Zealand side have won two of the last three including an eight-point win in their most recent encounter.

They have scored the second fewest tries so far this season (17) behind the Force (11), but they have also conceded the fewest tries (15). The Durban side returns home to where they have lost their last two games - the last time they lost more than two consecutive home games was across the 2009 and 2010 campaigns.

Gary Gold, Sharks Director of Rugby said: “The Hurricanes will pose a similar challenge to the other three New Zealand teams we faced on tour, and that added to the confidence they will have after their great victory over the Lions will make them even more formidable. “But it's fantastic to be back at home and playing in front of our own crowd. This is the fourth New Zealand side we are playing in succession and we are excited about that. We want to build on our courageous performance against the Chiefs last Friday and our focus is on being accurate and utilising our opportunities.”

The Hurricanes have won their last eight games against teams from South Africa, more than double their next longest streak (three games).

Beauden Barrett has converted more tries this season than any other player (27) and is one of only four players so far this season to have scored more than 100 points.

Teams:

Sharks:15 Willie le Roux, 14 JP Pietersen, 13 Paul Jordaan, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Lwazi Mvovo, 10 Garth April, 9 Michael Claassens, 8 Daniel du Preez, 7 Jean-Luc du Preez, 6 Keegan Daniel, 5 Stephan Lewies, 4 Etienne Oosthuizen, 3 Lourens Adriaanse, 2 Franco Marais, 1 Beast Mtawarira (captain). Replacements: 16 Chiliboy Ralepelle, 17 Dale Chadwick, 18 Thomas du Toit, 19 Hyron Andrews, 20 Jean Deysel, 21 Stefan Ungerer, 22 Patrick Lambie, 23 Odwa Ndungane.

Hurricanes:15. James Marshall, 14. Cory Jane, 13. Matt Proctor, 12. Vince Aso, 11. Julian Savea, 10. Beauden Barrett, 9. TJ Perenara, 8. Victor Vito, 7. Ardie Savea, 6. Brad Shields, 5. Michael Fatialofa, 4. Vaea Fifita, 3. Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, 2. Dane Coles (captain), 1. Reg Goodes. Replacements: 16. Motu Matu'u, 17. Chris Eves, 18. Ben May, 19. Mark Abbott, 20. Blade Thomson, 21. Jamison Gibson-Park, 22. Willis Halaholo, 23. Jason Woodward. - African News Agency (ANA)

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