The Sharks have named five Springboks in their squad to face defending champions Leinster in Durban in the second round of the United Rugby Championship on Saturday, 3 October.
The Durban side have been strengthened by the return of several senior internationals as they look to make it two wins from two at the start of the new campaign.
Coach JP Pietersen has made five changes to the team that beat the Ospreys at Kings Park on 26 September. There are also four alterations among the replacements for the meeting with Leinster.
The Sharks published their team announcement on social media shortly after 16:00 on 1 October.
Andre Esterhuizen returns at centre and has been named the newly appointed Springboks captain. Edwill van der Merwe comes into the side on the right wing, adding further pace to the backline.
Springboks prop Thomas du Toit is also back in the Sharks squad after rejoining the team from Bath in England.
Ox Nche, Eben Etzebeth and Ethan Hooker will begin the match among the replacements, giving Pietersen further international experience to call on during the contest.
The Sharks’ replacements for the Leinster match are Ethan Bester, Ox Nche, Hanro Jacobs, Eben Etzebeth, Matt Romao, Ivan van Zyl, Zekhethelo Siyaya and Ethan Hooker, according to the Sharks Rugby website.
The match is one of four fixtures scheduled across the second round of the URC.
Edinburgh will host the Stormers at Edinburgh Rugby Stadium on 2 October, with kick-off at 20:45.
On 3 October, the Lions face the Ospreys at Ellis Park in Johannesburg at 13:45, before the Sharks meet Leinster at Kings Park in Durban at 18:30.
The round concludes with Munster against the Bulls at Thomond Park in Limerick, beginning at 20:45.
All fixture details are correct according to the official URC website.
