Sharks v Waratahs: Teams

Sharks coach John Plumtree has made several changes to his starting line-up to play the Waratahs this weekend.

Suspended scrum-half Rory Kockott and injured utility back Francois Steyn are replaced by Charl McLeod and Bradley Barritt for the crucial match.

Steyn's knee injury has ruled him up for six weeks which led to former Sharks centre Barritt being called-up from Saracens for a return to his old hunting ground.

Ruan Pienaar starts at fly-half with further good news over the availability of Adi Jacobs, who has also been included following a quicker-than-anticipated return from injury.

His return means the Sharks will have a new-look centre pairing in Jacobs and Barritt.

"He's (Barritt) played a lot of rugby (at Saracens) so there are no fitness issues," said assistant coach Grant Bashford. "The great news is Ruan coming back as well.

"Losing Frans, an experienced youngster like him, was terrible, but it was lucky for us to get Brad back, he comes at a crucial time."

McLeod is handed the number nine jersey while Kockott serves his one-match suspension for slapping Highlanders flanker Adam Thomson.

The only other change sees Jannie du Plessis rotate with John Smit and link-up with brother Bismarck in the front row.

Waratahs tinker

Waratahs head coach Chris Hickey has tinkered with his squad, with Rob Horne and Luke Burgess making their returns to the starting XV.

Horne, who has been out for almost a month after suffering a hamstring injury against the Bulls back in round nine of the competition, will make his first start on the wing with Hickey sticking with the successful centre pairing of Kurtley Beale and Timana Tahu.

Burgess also returns to the starting line-up, while Brett Sheehan is poised to earn his 50th cap from the bench. Peter Playford also moves into the reserves with Matt Carraro dropping out of the 22 altogether.

"When Rob went off against the Bulls it was assessed as a two-three week injury and it ended up being three weeks," said Hickey.

"He's come along pretty well though, and he was put through some pretty demanding activities at training earlier today so we're going with him out wide.

"You have to remember Rob's still only 19 so you definitely don't risk someone with injury so early in their career; you have to ensure their rehab is complete.

"With Burgo, we just think he's going to have the biggest impact given our opposition. It's in no way a reflection on Brett Sheehan's form because he's been fantastic for us over the past couple of weeks."

Lote Tuqiri (knee) and Tatafu Polota-Nau (ankle) have been named despite leaving the field against the Cheetahs due to injury.

"We've taken the load off Lote and Tatafu in the early part of the week, but the assessment on them both has been really positive so we're fully expecting them to be available," added Hickey.

"Lote's a big game player so it would be hard to keep him off the park for such a big game and Tatafu has been up there with our best all year, particularly in the physical encounters with big forward packs."

Sharks: 15 Stefan Terblanche, 14 Odwa Ndungane, 13 Adrian Jacobs, 12 Brad Barritt, 11 JP Pietersen, 10 Ruan Pienaar, 9 Charl McLeod, 8 Ryan Kankowski, 7 Jean Deysel, 6 Jacques Botes, 5 Johann Muller (c), 4 Steven Sykes, 3 Jannie du Plessis, 2 Bismarck du Plessis, 1 Tendai Mtawarira.
Replacements: 16 John Smit, 17 Deon Carstens, 18 Albert van den Berg, 19 Keegan Daniel, 20 Monty Dumond, 21 Riaan Swanepoel, 22 Luzuko Vulindlu.

Waratahs: 15 Lachie Turner, 14 Rob Horne, 13 Timana Tahu, 12 Kurtley Beale, 11 Lote Tuqiri, 10 Daniel Halangahu, 9 Luke Burgess, 8 Wycliff Palu, 7 Phil Waugh (c), 6 Ben Mowen, 5 Will Caldwell, 4 Dean Mumm, 3 Al Baxter, 2 Tatafu Polota-Nau, 1 Benn Robinson.
Replacements: 16 Damien Fitzpatrick, 17 Sekope Kepu, 18 Chris Thomson, 19 Luke Doherty, 20 Brett Sheehan, 21 Peter Playford, 22 Tom Carter.