Nine players are set to make their Vodacom URC debut for the Sharks in a round 2 clash against Connacht in Galway on Saturday.
John Plumtree has stuck with the core of the Sharks XV team that beat the Lions in last week’s Currie Cup final at Ellis Park. There are four changes in the starting forward pack, but the backline remains unchanged.
Springbok lock Jason Jenkins, who was named in the run-on XV last week but was ruled out before kick-off, is paired with Gerbrandt Grobler in the second row, the duo replacing Corne Rahl and the injured Emile van Heerden, respectively.
WATCH: Sharks unveil 2024-25 jerseys
Vincent Tshituka continues as captain with hooker Dylan Richardson replacing Fez Mbatha, while Ruan Dreyer comes in for Hanro Jacobs at tighthead prop.
Tshituka will pack down in the back row with his brother Emmanuel, who will run for the first time as a Shark at The Sportsground with Jenkins, Dreyer, Jordan Hendrikse, Jurenzo Julius, Andre Esterhuizen, Trevor Nyakane and Gurswin Wehr.
With the clash of URC round 1 fixtures and the Currie Cup decider last weekend, the South African teams only commence their league commitments this week.
Plumtree used the last few weeks of the Currie Cup for the dual purpose of getting his URC players back to match fitness after the break following a 2023-24 season that culminated in EPCR Challenge Cup glory.
Photo: Steve Haag Sports/Gallo Images
