Sharks head coach Robert du Preez has been able to name a completely unchanged 23 for Saturday’s Super Rugby quarter-final clash with the Crusaders.
A good effort against the Jaguares at Kings Park last weekend saw the Sharks through to the knockout stage courtesy of an eighth place finish.
Assistant coach Dick Muir, speaking from the team’s base in Christchurch ahead of Saturday’s match, said: “There’s a lot of excitement, the team had a long haul getting to Christchurch but everyone is in good spirits. We’re coming off a good win and the team is ready to have a go.”
The big games, particularly against New Zealand sides, have brought out the best in the Sharks this season and Muir expects nothing different on Saturday against the Crusaders.
“Absolutely, they have the players but our expectations are pretty high as we get to the business end of the competition,” he added. “Not too many people are giving us a chance so it’s a great opportunity to prove them wrong.”
Tendai ‘Beast’ Mtawarira will play his 150th Super Rugby game in a Sharks jersey. He holds the record for being the most capped Super Rugby player for a single province and is just behind Adriaan Strauss, who is the most capped South African Super Rugby player with 156.
Sharks: 15 Curwin Bosch, 14 Kobus van Wyk, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Lwazi Mvovo, 10 Robert du Preez, 9 Louis Schreuder, 8 Daniel du Preez, 7 Jacques Vermeulen, 6 Philip van der Walt, 5 Ruan Botha (c), 4 Tyler Paul, 3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Akker van der Merwe, 1 Tendai Mtawarira
Replacements: 16 Chiliboy Ralepelle, 17 Juan Schoeman, 18 John-Hubert Meyer, 19 Hyron Andrews, 20 Wian Vosloo, 21 Cameron Wright, 22 Marius Louw, 23 Makazole Mapimpi
Date: Saturday, July 21
Venue: AMI Stadium, Christchurch
Kick-off: 19:35 local (08:35 BST, 07:35 GMT)
Referee: Mike Fraser (New Zealand)
Assistant Referees: Ben O’Keeffe (New Zealand), Brendon Pickerill (New Zealand)
TMO: Shane McDermott (New Zealand)