Champions Cup: Bok bolter Aphelele Fassi returns for Sharks as they host Clermont

Clermont are playing for pride, looking for their first - and what mathematically would be their only - win in the competition, their home games heralding losses to Sale Sharks (14-35) and Glasgow Warriors (21-33), and an opening round 47-10 loss to Saracens in London.

For the Sharks, a second win (they defeated Saracens 28-23 in Durban in mid-December) could see them secure knock-out qualification and push through to the Round of 16.

Head coach JP Pietersen has switched things up a bit with his team selection, maintaining some continuity from last week's trip to Manchester, while bringing back a range of stalwarts.

There are starts for Matt Romao and PK Sobahle, with Rugby World Cup winners Ox Nche and Bongi Mbonambi upfront and Aphelele Fassi at fullback. Brothers Jaden and Jordan Hendrikse form the halfback pairing, while Jurenzo Julius retains his number 12 jersey, partnering with Le Roux Malan in the midfield.

Nick Hatton continues his lead-by-example role, having retained the captaincy for the match against the 114-year old club and three-time Champions Cup runners-up, two-time French Champions (2010 and 2017) and Challenge Cup champions on three different occasions, most recently in 2019.

Sharks - 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Yaw Penxe, 13 Le Roux Malan, 12 Jurenzo Julius, 11 PK Sobahle, 10 Jordan Hendrikse, 9 Jaden Hendrikse, 8 Nick Hatton (c), 7 Manu Tshituka, 6 Matt Romao, 5 Jason Jenkins, 4 Corne Rahl, 3 Hanro Jacobs, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Ox Nche.

Replacements: 16 Eduan Swart, 17 Phatu Ganyane, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 Emile van Heerden, 20 Phepsi Buthelezi, 21 Ross Braude, 22 Siya Masuku, 23 Hakeem Kunene.

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