Sharks head coach Robert du Preez has named an unchanged starting line-up for his side's Super Rugby clash with the Hurricanes in Napier on Friday.
Ruan Botha captains the side again from the second-row where he packs down alongside Stephan Lewies while Tendai Mtawarira and Thomas du Toit are the starting props and Chiliboy Ralepelle lines up at hooker.
Meanwhile, Jean-Luc du Preez and Philip van der Walt start on the flanks and Tera Mtembu continues at number eight. In the backline, Louis Schreuder and Robert du Preez continue as the half-back pairing and Andre Esterhuizen and Lukhanyo Am are the two centres.
In the back three, Curwin Bosch starts at full-back again while Lwazi Mvovo and Sbu Nkosi are the two wings.
The Durban-based outfit not only came away with a vital win against the Blues in Auckland last week, but a pretty much injury free scorecard, allowing the coach to name an unchanged line-up for Friday’s clash.
“There have been a couple of niggles but nothing serious and everyone was available for selection,” said Du Preez.
The Sharks will go into this match with confidence which is a vital component for teams seeking victory, but it will take more of what was delivered last week against a top class side.
“After the disappointments of the first two weeks on tour, the boys were hurt, but they were desperate to get a first win on tour,” added Du Preez.
“If there had been a lack of effort previously I would have been really worried, but that wasn’t the issue. This time around the boys brought the effort and the accuracy, so it was much better and I was really pleased with that performance.
“Everyone was desperate to put in a good performance, and that aim was achieved. Every player had a part to play, including the bench players when they came on.”
Sharks: 15 Curwin Bosch, 14 Sbu Nkosi, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Lwazi Mvovo, 10 Robert du Preez, 9 Louis Schreuder, 8 Tera Mtembu, 7 Jean-Luc du Preez, 6 Philip van der Walt, 5 Stephan Lewies, 4 Ruan Botha (c), 3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Chiliboy Ralepelle, 1 Tendai Mtawarira
Replacements: 16 Franco Marais, 17 Juan Schoeman, 18 John-Hubert Meyer, 19 Hyron Andrews, 20 Tyler Paul, 21 Cameron Wright, 22 Marius Louw, 23 Kobus van Wyk
Date: Friday, April 6
Venue: McLean Park, Napier
Kick-off: 19:35 local (06:35 GMT)
Referee: Nic Berry (Australia)
Assistant referees: Brendon Pickerill (New Zealand), Angus Mabey (New Zealand)
Television match official: Aaron Paterson (New Zealand)
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