This means two changes in the front row, with Juan Schoeman and Thomas du Toit coming in either side of Kerron van Vuuren, who starts his second match for the Cell C Sharks.

The other change to the starting line-up sees Philip van der Walt in for Vermeulen on the side of the scrum with the backline remaining intact from last week. Jean-Luc du Preez has made a welcome return to fitness after a long-term injury and has been named on the bench.

This will be the seventh meeting between the two sides with the Durban outfit winning all but one of the previous six matches between them. The Cell C Sharks are difficult customers at home and are unbeaten in their last 13 home encounters (W11, D2) against visiting teams from outside South Africa.

What they said:

Cell C Sharks wing Makazole Mapimpi, scorer of two tries in last weekend’s exhilarating 42-5 victory over the Emirates Lions, admits they’re in for a big clash against a strong opponent: “They’re an international team, a good side and we know it’s going to be tough. We’ve spoken about winning our home games, we’ve lost twice at home and it’s important not to lose again, especially after such a good win last week.”

Teams:

Cell C Sharks: 15 Curwin Bosch, 14 Lwazi Mvovo, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Robert du Preez, 9 Louis Schreuder (captain), 8 Daniel du Preez, 7 Philip van der Walt, 6 Luke Stringer, 5 Hyron Andrews, 4 Ruben van Heerden, 3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Kerron van Vuuren, 1 Juan Schoeman. Replacements: 16 Fez Mbatha, 17 Mzamo Majola, 18 John-Hubert Meyer, 19 JJ van der Mescht, 20 Jean-Luc du Preez, 21 Grant Williams, 22 Kobus van Wyk, 23 Aphelele Fassi.

Jaguares: TBA

Head to head:

Played: 6

Cell C Sharks won: 5 

Jaguares won: 1

Cell C Sharks points: 128

Jaguares points: 114

Average score: 21-19

 

Match information:

Date: Saturday, 13 April

SA time: 15h05

Venue: Jonsson Kings Park, Durban

Referee: Nic Briant

Assistant referees: Federico Anselmi, Cwengile Jadezweni

Television Match Official: Marius Jonker

TV: SuperSport1