New-look Sharks face Lyon

Sharks coach John Plumtree makes 14 changes to his starting XV for Sunday’s Challenge Cup round-of-16 playoff at Matmut Stadium.

Springbok centre Andre Esterhuizen and Yaw Penxe, who shifts from fullback to the right wing, are the only survivors from the team that ran out to play Leinster at Kings Park last weekend.

Plumtree has opted to rest six Springboks, namely Siya Kolisi, Ox Nche, Vincent Koch, Bongi Mbonambi and Jaden and Jordan Hendrikse. Utility back Ethan Hooker is another notable omission while former Junior Boks midfielder Jurenzo Julius is on the bench.

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Ntuthuko Mchunu, Fez Mbatha and Ruan Dreyer start in the front row, with Corne Rahl and fit-again Gerbrandt Grobler in the second row.

Tino Mavesere, Jannes Potgieter and Nick Hatton form the loose trio, with Hatton captaining the team in Kolisi’s absence.

Among the backs, Bradley Davids starts at scrumhalf and Siya Masuku at flyhalf. Francois Venter comes into the midfield, while Litelihle Bester starts on the left wing and Hakeem Kunene at fullback.

SHARKS – 15 Hakeem Kunene, 14 Yaw Penxe, 13 Francois Venter, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Litelihle Bester, 10 Siya Masuku, 9 Bradley Davids, 8 Nick Hatton (c), 7 Jannes Potgieter, 6 Tino Mavesere, 5 Gerbrandt Grobler, 4 Corne Rahl, 3 Ruan Dreyer, 2 Fez Mbatha, 1 Ntuthuko Mchunu.
Bench: 16 Ethan Bester, 17 Dian Bleuler, 18 Mwande Madande, 19 Emile van Heerden, 20 Bathobelo Hlakane, 21 Tiaan Fourie, 22 Jean Smith, 23 Jurenzo Julius.

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Photo: Steve Haag/Gallo Images