Buthelezi to lead Sharks against Lions in URC derby

The Sharks have decided to rest a number of high-profile players for Friday's United Rugby Championship clash against the Lions at Kings Park.

After two weeks of successful Heineken Champions Cup rugby and a run of three straight victories across two competitions, the Sharks now turn their attention back to the URC and another local South African derby.

Because of the intense month they've just had, the Sharks have opted to balance the management of player welfare with the need to continue their good form. To this end, Director of Rugby Neil Powell has made several changes to the side that defeated Bordeaux Begles last week as he looks to both keep the players fresh as well as broadening the squad's match fitness.

Thomas du Toit shifts over to the loosehead side of the front row with Dan Jooste replacing Bongi Mbonambi at hooker and Carlu Sadie named at tighthead.

Vincent Tshituka has shifted from flank to the lock position he occupied against Ospreys, replacing Eben Etzebeth and now partnering Hyron Andrews in the second row.

Sikhumbuzo Notshe comes in for Siya Kolisi, who moves to the bench, with Jeandre Labuschagne back in the side to complete the loose forward trio alongside captain and eighthman Phepsi Buthelezi.

Amongst the backline changes, Grant Williams is given a starting opportunity at scrumhalf with Jaden Hendrikse playing off the bench, while there is a new midfield pairing of Rohan Janse van Rensburg and Lukhanyo Am, in for Ben Tapuai and Francois Venter respectively.

Meanwhile, the Lions are themselves coming off a four-match unbeaten run, as they continue to impress this season.

Rynhardt Jonker starts at outside centre in place of the injured Henco van Wyk in the only backline change.

Influential lock Reinhard Nothnagel returns from injury and takes over the captaincy.

Ruan Venter shifts from flank to start at No 8, with Darrien Landsberg coming in at blindside flank and Emmanuel Tshituka swapping roles with Venter in a revamped loose trio.

"Friday will be a good opportunity for us to show what we prepared for all week. We know what they are going to bring; they have a good overall kicking game, an exciting backline and a decent pack of forwards. It will be important for us to start well, stay in the fight as long as possible and hopefully get the win," said Lions forwards coach Albert van den Berg.

Friday's match kicks off at 5pm.

Sharks: 15 Boeta Chamberlain, 14 Werner Kok, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 Rohan Janse van Rensburg, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Curwin Bosch, 9 Grant Williams, 8 Phepsi Buthelezi (captain), 7 Jeandre Labuschagne, 6 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 5 Hyron Andrews, 4 Vincent Tshituka, 3 Carlu Sadie, 2 Dan Jooste, 1 Thomas du Toit.Replacements: 16 Kerron van Vuuren, 17 Dian Bleuler, 18 Hanro Jacobs, 19 Gerbrandt Grobler, 20 Siya Kolisi, 21 Jaden Hendrikse, 22 Lionel Cronje, 23 Ben Tapuai.

Lions: 15 Andries Coetzee, 14 Edwill van der Merwe, 13 Rynhardt Jonker, 12 Marius Louw, 11 Quan Horn, 10 Jordan Hendrikse, 9 Sanele Nohamba, 8 Ruan Venter, 7 Darrien Landsberg, 6 Emmanuel Tshituka, 5 Reinhard Nothnagel (captain), 4 Willem Alberts, 3 Asenathi Ntlabakanye, 2 Pieter Botha, 1 Jean-Pierre Smith.

Replacements: 16 Jaco Visagie, 17 Sithembiso Sithole, 18 Ruan Smith, 19 Pieter Jansen van Vuren, 20 Jaco Kriel, 21 Andre Warner, 22 Gianni Lombard, 23 Stean Pienaar.

Date: Friday, December 23

Venue: Kings Park, Durban

Kick-off: 17:00

Referee: Aimee Barrett-Theron (South Africa)

Assistant referees: Stephan Geldenhuys (South Africa) and Paul Mente (South Africa)

TMO: Marius van der Westhuisen (South Africa)