Siya Kolisi leads Bok-laden Sharks outfit v Munster

The Sharks' first foray into the elite European competition has paid off immediate dividends and the honour of hosting a knock-out is just reward for the team's outstanding performances in the pool stages.

Munster, currently fifth on the Vodacom United Rugby Championship log - to underline their status as a side to give healthy respect to - come to Durban for their first-ever visit to Hollywoodbets Kings Park.

The Irish side won two of their four pool games in the Heineken Champions Cup, going down twice to Toulouse, but earned enough points to finish in sixth place on the Pool B log, while the Cell C Sharks, with their three wins, finished Pool A in third spot which afforded them the honour of a home fixture in the knock-outs.

"We weren't good in our last game, but we've worked hard to rectify that," Captain Siya Kolisi said in the build-up to the game.

"This is a play-off match, everything in the past no longer matters, but I think we will be much better, we don™t want a loss to define us. And Munster's loss last week also doesn't define them."

With Sharksfest taking place on Saturday and warm weather predicted, everything points to a day of excitement both on and off the field.

"The European Cup has a vibe different to everything else, and Munster will experience that, as well as the heat of Durban," he said.

Cell C Sharks1. Ox Nche2. Bongi Mbonambi3. Thomas du Toit4. Eben Etzebeth5. Gerbrandt Grobler6. Siya Kolisi (C)7. Vincent Tshituka8. Sikhumbuzo Notshe9. Jaden Hendrikse10. Curwin Bosch11. Makazole Mapimpi12. Rohan Janse van Rensburg13. Lukhanyo Am14. Werner Kok15. Boeta Chamberlain

Replacements16. Kerron van Vuurren17. Ntuthuko Mchunu18. Carlu Sadie19. Emile van Heerden20. Phepsi Buthelezi21. Grant Williams22. Ben Tapuai23. Thaakir Abrahams