Eben Etzebeth returns as Sharks name side to face Lions in URC clash

Although the Durban outfit are coming off the disappointment of a one-point loss to the Stormers last weekend, there were lots of positives and encouraging signs that they are approaching the kind of performances they're aiming to produce regularly - and the upcoming clash with the Lions is an opportunity to prove just what they're capable of.

In changes from last week's side, Sharks head coach John Plumtree has installed Fez Mbatha at hooker with Kerron van Vuuren shifting to the bench, while Hanro Jacobs replaces Coenie Oosthuizen who has carried a massive workload over the past two months.

After missing last week's clash with the Stormers, Eben Etzebeth is back from a stomach complaint and his partner in the second row will be Gerbrandt Grobler who takes over from Emile van Heerden.

Grant Williams and Jaden Hendrikse swapping scrumhalf duties is the only change to a settled backline.

Speaking ahead of the game, Williams admits that the team is in the right place both performance-wise and in the correct mental space to deliver a commanding performance on Saturday.

"Last week's game against the Stormers was frustrating, we felt that we could have gotten the win and we felt that there were more positives than negatives," he said. "We can now go out against the Lions and put in a performance that our fans can be proud of, so we're pretty excited.

"We feel that as a group, we're close to delivering the performances we want to."

Looking at the opposition, he warned that the Lions "are a physical outfit that like to move the ball around as well, they have a heavy pack so we can expect a physical battle.

"The thing for us is to get into our stride and give our fans a performance they deserve. But our squad is in a positive place and we're building as a unit.

"Over the last few weeks we've moved forward, we're much stronger now."

Saturday's clash at Hollywoodbets Kings Park kicks off at 5pm.

Sharks: 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Werner Kok, 13 Lukhanyo Am (captain), 12 Francois Venter, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Curwin Bosch, 9 Grant Williams, 8 Phepsi Buthelezi, 7 Lappies Labuschagne, 6 James Venter, 5 Gebrandt Grobler, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Hanro Jacobs, 2 Fez Mbatha, 1 Ox Nche.

Replacements: 16 Kerron van Vuuren, 17 Ntuthuko Mchunu, 18 Joel Hintz, 19 Corne Rahl, 20 George Cronje, 21 Jaden Hendrikse, 22 Boeta Chamberlain, 23 Rohan Janse van Rensburg

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