Sharks centurion Andre Esterhuizen leads Sharks in Champions Cup encounter against Saracens

The Bok behemoth his been bestowed this honour in front of his home fans in Durban as the franchise goes through a difficult period. The Sharks have won just one out of six matches this season and said goodbye to John Plumtree as head coach.

Esterhuizen is one of a plethora of returning Springboks in the matchday squad. Bongi Mbonambi, flank Siya Kolisi, scrumhalf Grant Williams and utility back Ethan Hooker all return to the starting lineup.

Aphelele Fassi, back from the ankle injury he picked up against the All Blacks in September, slots straight in at fullback as part of an all Bok bacvk three with Makazole Mapimipi and Edwill van der Merwe. Currie Cup champion George Whitehead of Griquas gets the nod at flyhalf.

In the forwards, Kolisi is part of the back row with eighthman Phepsi Buthlezi and Vincent Tshituka. Mbonambi will put in a big shift in the front row from Hooker.

Interim head coach JP Pietersen has opted for a 6â-2 bench split, loading up on forwards for the physical battle. Brothers Jaden and Jordan Hendrikse are the only backline options among the replacements.

Sharks - 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Edwill van der Merwe, 13 Ethan Hooker, 12 Andre Esterhuizen (c), 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 George Whitehead, 9 Grant Williams, 8 Phepsi Buthelezi, 7 Vincent Tshituka, 6 Siya Kolisi, 5 Emile van Heerden, 4 Jason Jenkins, 3 Hanro Jacobs, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Phatu Ganyane.

Replacements: 16 Eduan Swart, 17 Lee-Marvin Mazibuko, 18 Mawande Mdanda, 19 Marvin Orie, 20 Matt Romao, 21 Nick Hatton, 22 Jaden Hendrikse, 23 Jordan Hendrikse.