Overview
- Coach JP Pietersen kept the same forwards and made two backline changes for Friday’s Cardiff visit, with the team announced Thursday for Kings Park.
- Siya Kolisi will miss the game with a calf injury, and Pietersen said his return will be assessed week by week.
- Suspended lock Eben Etzebeth remains out, with team reports indicating he is expected back next week as several other Springboks are also unavailable.
- Emile van Heerden leads the lineout as No. 5 lock, with the Sharks at 86% on their own throws and owning the most steals after a 13-of-14, three-steal showing in the 45-0 win over Munster.
- The Sharks are 11th with five rounds left and six points to make up on eighth place, which is the cutoff for the URC quarter-finals.