Kankowski back for Sharks

The Sharks were in a determined mood against the Lions after losing their opening clash to the Cheetahs at Growthpoint Kings Park and put on a performance they could be proud of.

The Bulls have had a winless start.

Sharks assistant coach, Paul Anthony, says the trick is to pick up the pieces as they did and continue to deliver committed, high-intensity performances each week.

“What is ideal is that we put in a better performance against the Lions after losing to the Cheetahs .We want our players to be accountable for how they perform. Without a doubt the players felt accountable after the Cheetahs loss. But they all lifted their performances markedly and we’re hoping to lift it even more, game after game," he said.

Director of Rugby, Gary Gold, has made just two changes to the team for this Saturday’s clash. Ryan Kankowski, now back from Japan and fully integrated back into the team, comes in for Tera Mtembu in the only change to the forward pack that was so effective against the Emirates Lions last weekend at Kings Park.

Likewise, there is just one change to the backline where Andre Esterhuizen replaces Heimar Williams, again in a rotational change after two games.

New Zealander, Jack Wilson, has been named among the replacements and is primed and ready to make his debut off the bench.

Here's the full Cell C Sharks squad for the game:

15. SP Marais 
14. Odwa Ndungane
13. Waylon Murray
12. Andre Esterhuizen
11. Lwazi Mvovo
10. Patrick Lambie
9. Cobus Reinach
8. Ryan Kankowski
7. Renaldo Bothma
6. Marcell Coetzee
5. Pieter-Steph du Toit
4. Lubabalo Mtyanda
3. Jannie du Plessis
2. Bismarck du Plessis (Captain)
1. Dale Chadwick

Replacements

16. Kyle Cooper 
17. Thomas du Toit 
18. Lourens Adriaanse 
19. Marco Wentzel 
20. Jean Deysel 
21. Conrad Hoffmann 
22. Fred Zeilinga/Lionel Cronje 
23. Jack Wilson

(File Photo: Gallo Images)

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