Star-studded Sharks start 9 Springboks in effort to topple Bulls at Loftus

The Sharks have named nine Springboks in their starting line-up for Saturday's United Rugby Championship (URC) clash against the Bulls in Pretoria. 

It is expected to be a blockbuster affair, while stadium organisers expecting a near-capacity crowd. 

In the only change to the side that lost to Ulster on the final day of group fixtures two weekends ago, Le Roux Roets starts in Ruben van Heerden’s place in the second row with the remainder of the side retained.

Kick-off is at 13:45.

Teams:

Bulls

15 Canan Moodie, 14 David Kriel, 13 Cornal Hendricks, 12 Harold Vorster, 11 Madosh Tambwe, 10 Chris Smith, 9 Zak Burger, 8 Elrigh Louw, 7 Arno Botha, 6 Marcell Coetzee (captain), 5 Ruan Nortje, 4 Walt Steenkamp, 3 Mornay Smith, 2 Johan Grobbelaar, 1 Gerhard Steenekamp

Substitutes: 16 Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 17 Lizo Gqoboka, 18 Robert Hunt, 19 Janko Swanepoel, 20 Reinhardt Ludwig, 21 Embrose Papier, 22 Morne Steyn, 23 Stedman Gans

Sharks

15 Aphelele Fassie, 14 Werner Kok, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 Marius Louw, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Curwin Bosch, 9 Jaden Hendrikse, 8 Phepsi Buthelezi, 7 Henco Venter, 6 Siya Kolisi, 5 Reniel Hugo, 4 Le Roux Roets, 3 Thomas du Toit (c), 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Ox Nche

Substitutes: 16 Kerron van Vuuren, 17 Ntuthuko Mchunu, 18 Khutha Mchunu, 19 Ruben van Heerden, 20 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 21 Grant Williams, 22 Boeta Chamberlain, 23 Ben Tapuai