Sharks juggle a few for Griquas showdown

Wednesday's fixture will kick-start the second round of fixtures in the competition and the Sharks will be hoping to bounce back after their back-to-back losses in the competition.

The Sharks are currently in third spot on the log while their midweek hosts are just three points behind them in fourth place at the halfway stage of the competition.

There are three changes to the Sharks side as Scotland international Dylan Richardson starts in place of Thembelani Bholi as the only change in the forwards with the other two changes occurring in the back division.

Jeremy Ward shifts into the number twelve jersey with Marnus Potgieter teaming up with him in the centres while Lloyd Koster starts on the wing with Yaw Penxe shifting to fullback.

The home side welcome back experienced flyhalf George Whitehead to their side for the clash and Sharks coach Etienne Fynn knows what sort of threat he poses.

"With George coming back he manages the game exceptionally well with the use of his boot and whatever we give away up to their half will be punished," Fynn said. "The lengths of his kicks and his game management will add something different from the first game for them."

Heading into the clash and looking at the side's positions of the table, Fynn is reluctant to call it a must-win but knows how important a good performance is going into the latter parts of the competition.

"It's a very important game for us after starting with four wins on the trot and then slipping against the Bulls and Free State, both games we could have won.

"Going to Kimberley and winning away from home will really kick-start the rest of our campaign so we don't call it a must-win but the expectation is to come away with the points," Fynn added.

Amongst the bench players are two Cell C Sharks Under 20 stars in scrumhalf Bradley Davids and flyhalf Jean Smith who have been rewarded for good performances in the junior ranks.

Kick off in Kimberley tomorrow is at 17:45.

Cell C Sharks

1 Dian Bleuler, 2 Fez Mbatha, 3 Wiehahn Herbst, 4 Ruben van Heerden, 5 Hyron Andrews, 6 James Venter (c), 7 Dylan Richardson, 8 Celimpilo Gumede, 9 Cameron Wright (v/c), 10 Tito Bonilla, 11 Curwin Gertse, 12 Jeremy Ward, 13 Marnus Potgieter, 14 Lloyd Koster, 15 Yaw Penxe.

 Replacements

16 Dan Jooste, 17 Khwezi Mona, 18 Lourens Adriaanse, 19 Corne Rahl, 20 OJ Noah, 21 Thembelani Bholi, 22 Bradley Davids, 23 Jean Smith.