Nic Hatton takes charge as Plumtree rotates Sharks squad for knockout battle

Head coach John Plumtree has made changes to the team as he negotiates his way through simultaneous tournaments over the next two months.

Ntuthuko Mchunu, Fez Mbatha and Ruan Dreyer form the new starting front row, while Corne Rahl and Gerbrandt Grobler start as the lock pairing.

Tino Mavesere, Jannes Potgieter and Nick Hatton will form the loose trio, with Hatton being handed the captaincy armband.

Amongst the backs, Bradley Davids is in for Jaden Hendrikse while Siya Masuku starts for Jordan Hendrikse.  On the wing, Litelihle Bester does duty with Yaw Penxe. The final two changes see Francois Venter come in for Jurenzo Julius and Hakeem Kunene named at fullback. 

Springbok star Andre Esterhuizen and Yaw Penxe have retained their starting spots in the backline.

Defence coach Joey Mongalo admits the Sharks face a tough task as they go up against a competitive Lyon side.

"They're your typical French side, their forwards are large units which will help them set-piece wise. They're a strong scrumming team and they maul quite well.

"In summary, a transition game, French flair, we've got to deal with a strong set-piece and some individual brilliance from a couple of individuals that we'll have to deal with."

Conditions will be different and the weather far removed from what the team has experienced in Durban, while a hostile and partisan French crowd is sure to be the order of the day.

"Anybody who follows the French Top 14 sees that teams win at home, even teams who are struggling, they put great emphasis on winning at home," Mongalo said. "Every French team takes massive pride in how they perform at home, we're away from home and can expect a passionate home crowd. We're not unaware of what's coming. Our prep will be about connecting and being mentally ready for what's coming on Sunday evening."

The Round of 16 knock-out clash kicks off Sunday at 6.30pm.

Sharks team - 15 Hakeem Kunene, 14 Yaw Penxe, 13 Francois Venter, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Litelihle Bester, 10 Siya Masuku, 9 Bradley Davids, 8 Nic Hatton (Captain), 7 Jannes Potgieter, 6 Tino Mavesere, 5 Gerbrandt Grobler, 4 Corne' Rahl, 3 Ruan Dreyer, 2 Fez Mbatha, 1 Ntuthuko Mchunu.

Replacements: 16 Ethan Bester, 17 Dian Bleuler, 18 Mawande Mdanda, 19 Emile van Heerden, 20 Bathobele Hlekani, 21 Tiaan Fourie, 22 Jean Smith, 23 Jurenzo Julius.

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