Pietersen & Steyn start for Sharks against Stormers

The Sharks have named their team to play the Stormers this weekend with JP Pietersen and Francois Steyn going straight back into the to starting line up having returned from Japan.

JP Pietersen comes into the starting line up replacing Waylon Muyrray who drops out of the match day squad.

Francois Steyn comes in at centre which pushes Andre Esterhuizen on to the replacements bench.

In the front row Thomas du Toit rotated with Dale Chadwick who drops down to the replacements bench where Renaldo Bothma replaces Jean Deysel who is injured.

The match will be a special occasion for Ryan Kankowski as he will be winning his 100th Super Rugby cap.

“We are in a fortunate position that we have experienced Springbok players that have either recovered from injury or have returned from Japan, ” said Director of Rugby Gary Gold.

“We are excited to have them back and involved in our matchday squad. We also have commitments to SA Rugby to rest selected players.

“The Stormers are the in-form team in South Africa at present and we playing them in front of their passionate home crowd. “

“We are under no illusions about how tough the challenge is going to be. This probably is going to be a tougher battle than last week. Our squad has had a good training week and are determined to get our campaign back on a winning track. “

Sharks

15. SP Marais , 14. Odwa Ndungane , 13. JP Pietersen , 12. Francois Steyn , 11. Lwazi Mvovo , 10. Patrick Lambie , 9. Cobus Reinach , 8. Ryan Kankowski , 7. Willem Alberts , 6. Marcell Coetzee , 5. Pieter-Steph du Toit , 4. Lubabalo Mtyanda , 3. Matt Stevens , 2. Bismarck du Plessis (C) , 1. Thomas du Toit

Replacements : 16. Kyle Cooper , 17. Dale Chadwick , 18. Lourens Adriaanse , 19. Marco Wentzel , 20. Renaldo Bothma , 21. Conrad Hoffmann , 22. Andre Esterhuizen , 23. Jack Wilson