Tapuai starts in midfield as Sharks lose Janse van Rensburg for vital Benetton clash

Sharks director of rugby Neil Powell has named a largely settled side for Friday's URC encounter against Italian outfit Benetton in Durban. 

READ | Japan wants to host Rugby World Cup again in 2035

There's just one change to the Sharks' match-day 23 from the one that lost 54-20 away to Toulouse in the Champions Cup quarter-finals.

Centre Rohan Janse van Rensburg has not been cleared to play after being stretchered off against Toulouse. His spot at inside centre is taken by Ben Tapuai, with Marnus Potgieter coming in on the bench.

The match is vital for the Sharks as they currently occupy eighth spot on the URC standings. It's the final spot for quarter-finals qualification but the Sharks (40 points) are only one point above ninth-place Benetton. 

Friday's clash at Kings Park kicks off at 18:30.

Sharks team:

15 Boeta Chamberlain, 14 Werner Kok, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 Ben Tapuai, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Curwin Bosch, 9 Grant Williams, 8 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 7 Vincent Tshituka, 6 Siya Kolisi, 5 Gerbrandt Grobler, 4 Hyron Andrews, 3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, Ox Nche

Substitutes: 16 Kerron van Vuurren, 17 Ntuthuko Mchunu, 18 Carlu Sadie, 19 Jeandre Labuschagne, 20 Phepsi Buthelezi, 21 Cameron Wright, 22 Marnus Potgieter, 23 Thaakir Abrahams