Ndungane at fullback for Sharks

Former Springbok Odwa Ndungane will start at fullback for Sharks when they host Western Province at Kings Park.

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Durban – Former Springbok Odwa Ndungane will start at fullback for Sharks when they host Western Province at Kings Park on Saturday.

With just two points separating the teams in the log standings, victory will be of great importance as the second half of the Currie Cup gets underway.

Both sides come into this match off the back of a win last weekend - the Sharks over the Pumas and Province over Griquas - but both sides are looking for big performances on Saturday.

Sharks head coach Gary Gold will, however, have to make do without the services of Lourens Adriaanse (Labral tear - right shoulder), Khaya Majola (Meniscus), Jean Deysel (Tricep muscle strain), Daniel du Preez (Knee), JC Astle (Chest injury) and SP Marais (Knee and ankle injury) but has named a line-up almost unchanged from the Pumas clash.

After missing last week's match, Ndungane returns to fitness and has been selected at fullback with Joe Pietersen shifting closer to the action at flyhalf.

The only other change sees Jean-Luc du Preez in for injured twin Daniel and Thomas du Toit starting in the front row this week. This year the Kwazulu-Natal Rugby Union celebrates its 125-year anniversary.

In celebration of this proud milestone, the Sharks will be playing in a special commemorative jersey, the design of which, will have a striking resemblance to the first ever Currie Cup jersey that Natal played in.

Sharks team: 15 Odwa Ndungane, 14 Wandile Mjekevu, 13 Paul Jordaan, 12 Andre Esterhuizen , 11 S'bura Sithole , 10 Joe Pietersen, 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Philip van der Walt, 7 Jean-Luc du Preez, 6 Francois Kleinhans, 5 Marco Wentzel (Captain), 4 Etienne Oosthuizen, 3 Gerhard Engelbrecht, 2 Monde Hadebe, 1 Thomas du Toit. Replacements: 16 Franco Marais, 17 Dale Chadwick, 18 Dave McDuling, 19 Christiaan de Bruin, 20 Michael Claassens, 21 Heimar Williams, 22 Garth April - African News Agency (ANA).