Sharks pick all-new second row for Lions clash

Ruben van Heerden and hooker Dan Jooste are in isolation as per the competitions Covid-19 protocols while Hyron Andrews has been allowed special leave following a loss in his family and Thomas du Toit is also out with a rib injury.

The absence of Van Heerden and Andrews sees a much bulkier second row combination selected by coach Sean Everitt doesn't feel that it's going to cause any disruption to the side ahead of this must-win clash with the resurgent Lions.

"It's always going to be a disruption when you lose players like that," coach Sean Everitt said. "JJ (Van der Mescht) has had game time at four and at seven for us so that will be quite smooth for us.

"It's going to be exciting for young Aston Fortuin who comes in. He was brought in as back-up for Hyron.

"We know that Kerron (Van Vuuren) is in and Michael (Kumbirai) who did well in the latter part of the game against the Bulls is back so I think it's a nice opportunity for these guys to do well."

It was announced on Thursday that the Bulls game against Griquas set for Saturday has been cancelled due to a Covid-19 outbreak in the Bulls squad. With the Bulls only getting two points from that game it adds even more importance on the Sharks getting a positive result in the City of Gold.

"We are driving consistency in our performances but we have to be real, this is a vital game this weekend as far as log points are concerned.

"The challenge to the team was that we have three very tough games coming up over a difficult period but from a log perspective we need to focus on our job at hand knowing that at the end of the season this game is going to be cruicial for us," Everitt added.

With the time of year being very different to any other regular season, the conditions expected up in Johannesburg could be very foreign to the Sharks side and Everitt is trying to prepare his side as well as possible for that.

"There are going to be showers during the day at some stage and I know the field is going to be heavy; it's difficult enough playing on Highveld anyway regardless of whether you have a heavy field or not.

"What stands in our favour is that it's a 7pm kick-off and not a 2pm or 3pm kick-off in the Highveld sun.

"With that said I think the guys are looking forward to playing with the ball in hand on Saturday," he commented.

Kick-off at Ellis Park is at 19:00 on Saturday.

Cell C Sharks

1. Ox Nche, 2. Kerron van Vuuren, 3. Michael Kumbirai, 4. JJ van der Mescht, 5. Aston Fortuin*, 6. Dylan Richardson, 7. Henco Venter, 8. Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 9. Sanele Nohamba, 10. Curwin Bosch, 11. Yaw Penxe, 12. Marius Louw, 13. Lukhanyo Am (c), 14. Sbu Nkosi, 15. Manie Libbok

Replacements

16. Fezo Mbatha, 17. Mzamo Majola, 8. John Hubert-Meyer, 19. Thembelani Bholi, 20. James Venter, 21. Phepsi Buthelezi, 22. Jaden Hendrikse, 23. Jeremy Ward