Sharks announce JP Pietersen as captain for clash against Sunwolves
JP Pietersen will lead Sharks on Friday.
©Press Association
Sharks have announced Springboks wing JP Pietersen as the captain for their must-win Super Rugby encounter against the Sunwolves at Growthpoint Kings Park on Friday.
Pietersen will lead the team after South Africa loosehead prop Tendai Mtawarira has been handed a rest and is out of the matchday 23 while regular skipper Patrick Lambie has still not recovered from the concussion he suffered in the first Test against Ireland.
Thomas du Toit will replace Mtawarira in the squad while Rhyno Smith and Garth April will continue to start fullback and flyhalf respectively.
Chiliboy Ralepelle will begin as hooker after Franco Marais was rested and Ruan Botha will replace Stephan Lewies, who now moves to the bench.
With 39 points from 14 games, Sharks are placed second in the Africa 2 group behind Lions.
Sharks: 15 Rhyno Smith, 14 Odwa Ndungane, 13 JP Pietersen (c), 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Lwazi Mvovo, 10 Garth April, 9 Stefan Ungerer, 8 Philip van der Walt, 7 Tera Mtembu, 6 Keegan Daniel, 5 Ruan Botha, 4 Etienne Oosthuizen, 3 Coenie Oosthuizen, 2 Chiliboy Ralepelle, 1 Thomas du Toit
Replacements: 16 Kyle Cooper, 17 Dale Chadwick, 18 Lourens Adriaanse, 19 Stefan Lewies, 20 Jean Deysel, 21 Michael Claassens, 22 Heimar Williams, 23 Curwin Bosch
