Bongi Mbonambi on the bench for Sharks in Stormers URC clash

Derby matches always bring out the best in the two coastal teams and this match should be no different. The Stormers have enjoyed a good run in the tournament while the Sharks will be out to prove to their fans that despite the frustrations, good things are coming.

"We haven't found that real consistency to how we want to perform, although there have been periods where we've played some of our best rugby, and when we played the Stormers down in Cape Town, it was a really gutsy performance built around pressure and good defences, and we really stood up in that department," explains head coach John Plumtree.

"We have to be really strong upfront, whether it's at scrum time or mauls, we know we have a strong pack but I haven't yet been able to put that pack out onto the park because of injuries to key players which has been probably my biggest frustration.

"In the future, we'll get that part right, but we've had surgeries to six players in the tight five. It's been a long season and we've been handicapped by so many injuries including Eben Etzebeth, who has had a knee procedure and will only be back in a few weeks. So it's been really frustrating not being able to put out the pack that I've wanted to."

The Sharks coach has the good fortune of welcoming back Rugby World Cup-winning hooker Bongi Mbonambi from injury where he will feature alongside Coenie Oosthuizen and Vincent Tshituka also returns from a long-term injury off the bench, while replacement flyhalf Siya Masuku gets an opportunity to make his debut in the URC.

Plumtree admits that, "Ultimately, we're looking for some consistency in our performances to find some real confidence and belief in how we can play this game and at times we have shown that."

Saturday is Sharksfest at the tank and we are all geared for an exciting game in front of a packed crowd. The match kicks off at 17h05.

Sharks - 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Werner Kok, 13 Lukhanyo Am (c), 12 Francois Venter, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Curwin Bosch, 9 Jaden Hendrikse, 8 Phepsi Buthelezi, 7 Lappies Labuschagne, 6 James Venter, 5 Gerbrandt Grobler, 4 Le Roux Roets, 3 Hanro Jacobs, 2 Fez Mbatha, 1 Ox Nche
Replacements - 16 Bongi Mbonambi, 17 Ntuthuko Mchunu, 18 Coenie Oosthuizen, 19 Hyron Andrews, 20 Vincent Tshituka, 21 Bradley Davids, 22 Siya Masuku, 23 Aphiwe Dyantyi