Sharks stars back to take on Bulls

Lwazi Mvovo, Jean-Luc du Preez, Franco Marais and Lukhanyo Am all return to the Sharks starting line-up for the Currie Cup clash of the weekend against the Blue Bulls at King’s Park tomorrow.

Wing Mvovo and hooker Marais are experienced firstchoice campaigners and they replace S’bura Sithole and Chiliboy Ralepelle, who both take their place on the replacements bench, respectively.

Loose forward Tera Mtembu’s knee injury against Boland last weekend in Wellington is a blow, but is offset by the return of Du Preez. With Philip van der Walt and Keegan Daniel alongside him in the back row, the Sharks will field basically their Super Rugby loose trio against the Bulls.

Am is back from a niggling injury at the expense of Heimar Williams, having done some slick work at outside centre in the first two games.

The Sharks seemingly continue to punish Garth April, their Super Rugby flyhalf, for being late for training as he has been left off the bench and replaced by Rhyno Smith, their June signing from the Leopards.

Lock Stephan Lewies, who was rested last weekend against Boland, strained his hamstring in training this week and was not available for selection. Fortunately the Sharks’ second row is bulging with depth, with Ruan Botha again starting in the No 5 jersey and JC Astle on the bench.

Curwin Bosch, Odwa Ndungane, Lukhanyo Am, Andre Esterhuizen, Lwazi Mvovo, Innocent Radebe, Stefan Ungerer, Philip van der Walt, Jean-Luc du Preez, Keegan Daniel (c), Ruan Botha, Etienne Oosthuizen, Thomas du Toit, Franco Marais, Dale Chadwick. Bench: Chiliboy Ralepelle, John-Hubert Meyer, JC Astle, Jean Deysel, Hanco Venter, S’bura Sithole, Rhyno Smith.