Sharks v Cheetahs: Teams

Sharks have rung the changes ahead of their last home game for six weeks as they prepare for the visit of the Cheetahs.

The South Africans embark on a five-week tour of New Zealand next week and will be looking to bounce back from their opening defeat to the Chiefs.

Lock Johann Muller has not recovered from the knock he took early in the Chiefs clash and with Gerhard Mostart also out, coach John Plumtree has called up Alistair Hargreaves to the starting line-up with new signing Willem Alberts on the bench.

"We are in a nice position with Willem Alberts who can cover both lock and loose-forward, we haven't had a player like that since AJ Venter was here," Plumtree said.

In the backs Adi Jacobs comes in for the benched Andries Strauss at centre while Ruan Pienaar takes over from Monty Dumond at fly-half.

Elsewhere, Bismarck du Plessis has been dropped to the bench with hooker John Smit making his 100th Super rugby appearance alongside Jannie du Plessis and Tendai Mtawarira, while Jacques Botes is in for Keegan Daniel at lock.

The bench sees Charl McLeod named as back-up for scrum-half Rory Kockott.

Cheetahs have made two changes to the side that lost to the Bulls at the weekend.

Winger Danwel Demas replaces the injured Corne Uys with Lionel Mapoe switching from the wing to form an exciting partnership in the centre with Meyer Bosman.

Backline coach Hawies Fourie said: "It's a pity that Corne is injured. He's a guy that has sustained a number of injuries during his career.

"Fortunately we have more depth in the position than in the past. Injuries are part of the game."

The only other change to the starting line-up sees Frans Viljoen get the nod ahead of Ashley Johnson at number eight, with the latter dropping to the bench.

Full-back Hennie Daniller is the only other new face amongst the replacements following the 51-34 loss to the defending champions.

Sharks: 15 Stefan Terblanche, 14 Odwa Ndungane, 13 Waylon Murray, 12 Adrian Jacobs, 11 JP Pietersen, 10 Ruan Pienaar, 9 Rory Kockott, 8 Ryan Kankowski, 7 Jean Deysel, 6 Jacques Botes, 5 Alistair Hargreaves, 4 Steven Sykes, 3 Jannie du Plessis, 2 John Smit (capt), 1 Tendai Mtawarira.
Replacements: 16 Bismarck du Plessis, 17 Deon Carstens, 18 Willem Alberts, 19 Keegan Daniel, 20 Charl McLeod, 21 Monty Dumond, 22 Andries Strauss.

Cheetahs: 15 Riaan Viljoen, 14 Danwel Demas, 13 Lionel Mapoe, 12 Meyer Bosman, 11 Jongi Nokwe, 10 Naas Olivier, 9 Tewis de Bruyn, 8 Frans Viljoen, 7 Juan Smith (captain), 6 Heinrich Brussow, 5 David de Villiers, 4 Nico Breedt, 3 WP Nel, 2 Adriaan Strauss, 1 Wian du Preez.
Replacements: 16 Ryno Barnes, 17 Coenie Oosthuizen, 18 Waltie Vermeulen, 19 Ashley Johnson, 20 Sarel Pretorius, 21 Sias Ebersohn, 22 Hennie Daniller.