JP to captain Sharks

While there was talk that Paul Jordaan could be fit and ready for the Sharks last match before the quarterfinals, his name was omitted from the team named for Friday's clash.

Pietersen starts again at outside centre and will skipper the side in the absence of Beast Mtawarira. The Springbok loosehead prop is being rested this weekend as per director of rugby Gary Gold's statement on Tuesday.

Pietersen has spent more that ten years at the Union and has the most Super Rugby caps of any Sharks player to date. In what will be his last match at Kings Park, he's been given the captaincy as a sending off gift. It's also a bit of a belated birthday present, after the Bok flyer celebrated his 30th birthday earlier this week.

Odwa Ndungane makes a return on the right wing while Rhyno Smith continues at fullback. Tera Mtembu replaces Jean-Luc du Preez in the only change to the loose trio, while lock Ruan Botha earns his first start for the Sharks this season.

Thomas du Toit replaces the rested Mtawarira. The in-formLourens Adriaanse features on the bench, as does Jean Deysel. 

And interestingly, Pat Lambie is bracketed with Curwin Bosch on the bench - so it looks like a decision on his fitness will be made as late as possible.

Sharks

15 Rhyno Smith, 14 Odwa Ndungane, 13 JP Pietersen (c), 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Lwazi Mvovo, 10 Garth April, 9 Stefan Ungerer, 8 Philip van der Walt, 7 Tera Mtembu, 6 Keegan Daniel, 5 Ruan Botha, 4 Etienne Oosthuizen, 3 Coenie Oosthuizen, 2 Chiliboy Ralepelle, 1 Thomas du Toit 

Substitutes: 16 Kyle Cooper, 17 Dale Chadwick, 18 Lourens Adriaanse, 19 Stefan Lewies, 20 Jean Deysel, 21 Michael Claassens, 22 Curwin Bosch/Pat Lambie, 23 Heimar Williams