Sharks stay at full-strength for must-win URC clash against Benetton

The only change is the absence of Rohan Janse van Rensburg, who was stretchered off in the Champions Cup quarter-final match against Toulouse and has not been cleared to play on Friday.

In his absence, Australian international Ben Tapuai comes into the side and Marnus Potgieter will be on the bench as the only changes to the matchday 23.

This match is crucial for the Sharks for several reasons, the most obvious being the need to win. They are currently in eighth position, and they must fend off a late challenge from the Italians, who are one spot below them on the overall log and a point behind.

With only two rounds in the URC remaining, the pressure is on to secure a place in the top eight and qualify for the knockouts. They will host Munster next weekend in their final regular-season fixture, the team they defeated in the Heineken Champions Cup round of 16 two weeks ago.

Benetton has had a mixed bag of results, losing to the Lions in their last match but beating Ulster as well. They have lost three of their previous five games this year and will come to Durban with the intention of causing an upset.

The much-anticipated match will begin at 6:30 pm, with the Currie Cup side in action earlier in the day against the Bulls in the curtain-raiser.

Sharks: 15 Henry Chamberlain, 14 Werner Kok, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 Ben Tapuai, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Curwin Bosch, 9 Grant Williams, 8 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 7 Vincent Tshituka, 6 Siyamthanda Kolisi (captain), 5 Gerbrandt Grobler, 4 Hyron Andrews, 3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Mbongeni Mbonambi, 1 Retshegofaditswe Nché.

Replacements: 16 Kerron van Vuuren, 17 Ntuthuko Mchunu, 18 Carlü Sadie, 19 Jeandre Labuschagne, 20 Phendulani Buthelezi, 21 Cameron Wright, 22 Marnus Potgieter, 23 Thaakir Abrahams.