Sharks bolster starting XV with three key Springboks for Stormers clash

After opening their campaign with back-to-back victories at Kings Park, the Sharks head to Cape Town for their first coastal derby of the season.

Head coach JP Pietersen has made several positional and rotational changes to his starting side for the clash, with three Springboks promoted from the bench following last week's victory over Leinster.

Ox Nche, Eben Etzebeth and Ethan Hooker have all been named in the starting line-up after making an impact as replacements against Leinster.

Sharks scrum coach Philip Lemmer expects a tightly contested battle between two sides familiar with each other, particularly at scrum time.

"It's a big contest and a big point of focus to see who can dominate at scrum time," he said.

The stats indicate that the Sharks boast an enviable record at the set-piece, with barely a blip at scrum and lineout time so far this season.

"Pre-season helps a lot, but the standards the guys set for themselves is gold for us," says Lemmer.

"Each guy keeps the guy next to him accountable and that's the only way to drive standards. So, it's our standards that are our fire, we're not marking 90% or 100%, we're marking standards on whether we nail the job or not and that's keeping us accountable.

"If we maintain that, the results and good stats will come by themselves.

"It's set to be a tight contest, but hopefully a great game that showcases the best of this coastal rivalry."

Sharks - 15 Zekhethelo Siyaya, 14 Edwill van der Merwe, 13 Jurenzo Julius, 12 Andre Esterhuizen (C), 11 Ethan Hooker, 10 Vusi Moyo, 9 Jaden Hendrikse, 8 Phepsi Buthelezi, 7 Manu Tshituka, 6 Matt Romao, 5 Darrien Landsberg, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Eduan Swart, 1 Ox Nche.

Replacements: 16 Esethu Mnebelele, 17 Cameron Dawson, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 Jason Jenkins, 20 Stephan Lewies, 21 Nick Hatton, 22 Ivan van Zyl, 23 Gianni Lombard.

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