Injuries, suspension force Sharks' hand for Harlequins' clash

Director of Rugby Neil Powell has had his hand forced, with Bongi Mbonambi and Boeta Chamberlain both leaving the field last week after taking knocks and being unavailable for this weekend.

In their place come Kerron van Vuuren and Aphelele Fassi, who is now fully over his injury.

Powell's rotational policy sees Phepsi Buthelezi and Sikhumbuzo Notshe swap eighthman jerseys, while Curwin Bosch is back for Lionel Cronje at flyhalf. Cronje was a late withdrawal from the Bordeaux game after pulling up short during the week and not healing in time.

The final change sees Thaakir Abrahams in for Makazole Mapimpi after the latter was ruled out of the next two games due to suspension.

Harlequins came from behind in the first round match at Kings Park in December to threaten what would have been a rare away win in the tournament, but were denied by a character-driven effort from the Sharks who now look to upset the applecart in London.

Although the Sharks have already qualified for the round of 16 courtesy of their three straight victories, a win will guarantee a home clash in the next round.

Saturday's match at the Twickenham Stoop kicks off at 3pm South African time.

Sharks: 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Marnus Potgieter, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 Ben Tapuai, 11 Thaakir Abrahams, 10 Curwin Bosch, 9 Jaden Hendrikse, 8 Phepsi Buthelezi, 7 Vincent Tshituka, 6 Siyamthanda Kolisi (captain), 5 Gerbrandt Grobler, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Kerron van Vuuren, 1 Retshegofaditswe Nche.

Replacements: 16 Dan Jooste, 17 Ntuthuko Mchunu, 18 Carlü Sadie, 19 Hyron Andrews, 20 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 21 Grant Williams, 22 Lionel Cronje, 23 Francois Venter