Steyn back for the Sharks
Gold has been able to select his Springbok front row for the first time in six weeks to bolster the pack upfront, while also returning Francois Steyn and Renaldo Bothma back to the starting line-up.
The big, physical are players expected to play a big role on the weekend against the log-leaders.
Lwazi Mvovo has moved to fullback, a straight swap with Odwa Ndungane while Lionel Cronje wears the number 10 jersey, partnering Stefan Ungerer who gets his first start at scrumhalf.
Read an open letter from John Smit to Sharks fans here.
The Cell C Sharks
15. Lwazi Mvovo
14. Odwa Ndungane
13. JP Pietersen
12. Francois Steyn
11. S'bura Sithole
10. Lionel Cronje
9. Stefan Ungerer
8. Renaldo Bothma
7. Etienne Oosthuizen
6. Marcell Coetzee
5. Marco Wentzel (Captain)
4. Stephan Lewies
3. Jannie du Plessis
2. Bismarck du Plessis
1. Tendai Mtawarira
Replacements
16. Franco Marais
17. Dale Chadwick
18. Lourens Adriaanse
19. Mouritz Botha
20. Kyle Cooper
21. Conrad Hoffmann
22. Andre Esterhuizen
23. Waylon Murray
(File photo: Gallo Images)