Kolisi to lead Sharks against Scarlets

Am begins his short stint in Japan and will only be available again at the back end of the URC but to be able to fall back on the World Cup winning captain shows the ominous depth that the Sharks are building.

Being able to have Kolisi at the helm in place of Am is a replacement that very few teams would be able to emulate, and for winger Sbu Nkosi the team dynamic won't be affected.

“It’s a huge boost having Siya as captain, although it doesn’t really change much because he’s been playing a leadership role since he arrived at The Sharks,” Nkosi said to the Sharks website.

“He’s been very positive and very involved, and I don’t think it will be a major shift for us because he’s been bringing that same energy all the time. The only thing that changes now is that he has the authority that comes with the title of captain.”

The side shows just three changes from the team that claimed a bonus point victory over Benetton in Italy recently.

Jeremy Ward comes into the starting line-up in place of Am. The second change is in the second row with experienced Reniel Hugo taking Ruben van Heerden's spot while Sikhumbuzo Notshe makes a long-awaited return to the starting XV in place of the in-form Phepsi Buthelezi who moves to the bench.

Grant Williams returns from his ban for the red card that he picked up against the Bulls and starts on the bench.

Kick off at Hollywoodbets Kings Park on Friday is at 19:10.

Cell C Sharks
1 Ox Nche, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 3 Thomas du Toit (v/c), 4 Gerbrandt Grobler, 5 Reniel Hugo, 6 Siya Kolisi (c), 7 Henco Venter, 8 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 9 Jaden Hendrikse, 10 Curwin Bosch, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 12 Marius Louw, 13 Jeremy Ward, 14 Sbu Nkosi, 15 Aphelele Fassi.

Replacements
16 Kerron van Vuuren, 17 Ntuthuko Mchunu, 18 Khutha Mchunu, 19 Le Roux Roets, 20 Phepsi Buthelezi, 21 Grant Williams, 22 Tito Bonilla, 23 Werner Kok.