Sharks get triple injury boost ahead of Lions URC derby

Sharks director of rugby Neil Powell has named his team for Saturday's URC derby against the Lions in Johannesburg.

The Durbanites welcome back three players from injury, with a fit-again Werner Kok replacing Marnus Potgieter at right wing and loose forwards Vincent Tshituka and Dylan Richardson returning on the bench.

Powell also made a few tweaks to the team that lost 46-19 to the Stormers at Kings Park earlier this month.

In the only changes to the starting pack, Dan Jooste replaces Kerron van Vuuren at hooker and Hyron Andrews makes way for Reniel Hugo at lock.

In the backline, Grant Williams returns at scrumhalf, with Cameron Wright playing off the bench. Francois Venter takes over from Ben Tapuai at outside centre, with the latter amongst the replacements.

The Sharks are eighth (33 points) on the URC standings with seven wins from 12 matches, while the Lions lie 13th (24 points) with five wins from 12 matches.

Saturday's clash at Ellis Park kicks off at 15:00.

Sharks team:

15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Werner Kok, 13 Francois Venter, 12 Rohan Janse van Rensburg, 11 Thaakir Abrahams, 10 Curwin Bosch, 9 Grant Williams, 8 Phepsi Buthelezi (captain), 7 Henco Venter, 6 James Venter, 5 Gerbrandt Grobler, 4 Reniel Hugo, 3 Carlu Sadie, 2 Dan Jooste, 1 Ntuthuko Mchunu

Substitutes: 16 Fez Mbatha, 17 Dian Bleuler, 18 Hanro Jacobs, 19 Vincent Tshituka, 20 Dylan Richardson, 21 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 22 Cameron Wright, 23 Ben Tapuai