Gary Gold rings changes for Lions clash

Etienne Oosthuizen and Willem Alberts have both returned from injury lay-offs and the pair will start their return to rugby making an impact off the bench.

Odwa Ndungane has been named at fullback, replacing SP Marias who gets a rest after starting all eight matches to date. This sees the return of S'bura Sithole on the wing, with Fred Zeilinga replacing the injured Pat Lambie in the final change to the backline.

Upfront, there is an overhaul with Lourens Adriaanse, Franco Marais and Dale Chadwick packing down in the front row after Jannie du Plessis and Beast Mtawarira were rested, while Renaldo Bothma replaces Jean Deysel in the final change.

Marco Wentzel will skipper the team.

''Our performance this past weekend was unacceptable and we have taken full responsibility for the result and are determined to fix it this weekend,'' Gary Gold admitted.

''I believe in these players, we have a great group of guys. We are just not playing well at the moment and nobody can deny that.  We are just going to have to show some character. We are going to have to step up to the plate. It is as simple as that,'' he added.

Sharks team:

15. Odwa Ndungane 
14. S'bura Sithole
13. Waylon Murray
12. Andre Esterhuizen
11. Lwazi Mvovo
10. Fred Zeilinga
9. Cobus Reinach
8. Ryan Kankowski 
7. Renaldo Bothma
6. Marcell Coetzee
5. Marco Wentzel (Captain)
4. Mouritz Botha
3. Lourens Adriaanse
2. Franco Marais 
1. Dale Chadwick

Replacements

16. Monde Hadebe
17. Thomas du Toit 
18. Matt Stevens 
19. Etienne Oosthuizen 
20. Willem Alberts
21. Conrad Hoffmann
22. Lionel Cronje
23. Jack Wilson 

The match kicks off at 5.05 pm.

(File photo: Gallo Images)

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