Sharks limit changes for Rebels clash

Sharks head coach Robert du Preez has kept changes to a minimum ahead of their Super Rugby game against the Rebels in Durban on Saturday.

This week the Rebels visit from Melbourne, hoping to emulate the form that saw them defeat their top performing compatriots, the Brumbies.

Up front for the Sharks, there is one change to with Jean-Luc du Preez missing this match due to an ankle niggle. His place in the starting XV will be taken by Philip van der Walt with Jacques Vermeulen providing loose forward cover on the bench.

Amongst the backs, there are two positional and just one personnel change. Curwin Bosch returns to fly-half after an enforced late change that saw him shifting to full-back. This week, he plays in the number 10 jersey, with Rhyno Smith taking over the vacated full-back spot.

Sharks: 15 Rhyno Smith, 14 Kobus van Wyk, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Lwazi Mvovo, 10 Curwin Bosch, 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Daniel du Preez, 7 Philip van der Walt, 6 Tera Mtembu (c), 5 Stephan Lewies, 4 Etienne Oosthuizen, 3 Coenie Oosthuizen, 2 Franco Marais, 1 Beast Mtawarira
Replacements: 16 Chiliboy Ralepelle, 17 Thomas du Toit, 18 Lourens Adriaanse, 19 Ruan Botha, 20 Jacques Vermeulen, 21 Michael Claassens, 22 Benhard Janse van Rensburg, 23 Jeremy Ward

Date: Saturday, April 22
Venue: Kings Park, Durban
Kick-off: 19:30 local (17:30 GMT)
Referee: Marius van der Westhuizen (South Africa)
Assistant Referees: Egon Seconds (South Africa), Stuart Berry (South Africa)
TMO: Marius Jonker (South Africa)