Resurgent Sharks look to take Challenge Cup momentum into URC fixture

While they might have swapped tournaments, they have not let the focus of the season waver and will be using this match for growth and improvement.

Head coach John Plumtree hasn't tinkered much with the side that defeated Clermont last weekend to advance to the EPCR Challenge Cup Final as he looks to maintain continuity in team selection as well as how the team continues to gel.

There are two changes in the forwards where Corne Rahl replaces Emile van Heerden and Gerbrandt Grobler gets a start at flank, with Vincent Tshituka shifting to eighthman in place of Phepsi Buthelezi.

The final change sees Francois Venter replacing Ethan Hooker at centre.

Assistant coach Warren Whitely admits that despite the change in focus in terms of title aspirations, there isn't much in the way of shifting focus, but using this match to fine-tune their performances.

"What we've made clear is that after our review of the Clermont game, there were things we felt that we need to work on and be better at, so this weekend gives us an opportunity to be better, even though it's a different competition," he told the Sharks' website.

"We will need to be better in the final and that's why our focus is on this week, to be better than we were against Clermont and improve where we can."

Sharks - 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Werner Kok, 13 Lukhanyo Am (c), 12 Francois Venter, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Siya Masuku, 9 Grant Williams, 8 Vincent Tshituka, 7 Gerbrandt Grobler, 6 James Venter, 5 Corne Rahl, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Vincent Koch, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Ox Nche
Replacements: 16 Fez Mbatha, 17 Ntuthuko Mchunu, 18 Hanro Jacobs, 19 Lappies Labuschagne, 20 Tino Mavesere, 21 Cameron Wright, 22 Boeta Chamberlain, 23 Diego Appolis

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