Six returning Springboks bolster Sharks' matchday 23 for Leinster clash

Aside from Esterhuizen at centre, coach JP Pietersen has included Springboks Thomas du Toit and Edwill van der Merwe in the starting XV, while Ox Nche, Eben Etzebeth and Ethan Hooker provide further impact from the bench.

The inclusion of the returning internationals adds valuable experience and depth to a squad that has already shown its intent following an impressive opening-round victory over the Ospreys.

For club captain Phepsi Buthelezi, the challenge is about building on the foundations laid in Round One and demonstrating the progress the squad has made throughout pre-season.

"That was a really positive start for us and rewarding for the group. We've worked hard during our pre-season and to be able to get off the mark the way we did was really positive," he told the Sharks' website.

"We've had a good look at our performance and believe we could have done better in certain moments of the game, but I think overall it was a good start to our campaign.

"This week is a very important one for us. It's important to show how far we've come as a group and what the talk has been about. We've had a really tough pre-season, we've had hard and honest conversations as a group, we know exactly where we want to go, and this week presents us with an opportunity to measure ourselves against the defending champions."

The Sharks produced an entertaining attacking display against the Ospreys, and Buthelezi believes the challenge now is to continue developing that aspect of their game.

"Attack is a part of our game that we've worked hard on and, with Scott Mathie returning to Durban, the group has really responded well to him. It's something we will keep working on," he added.

"We scored some amazing tries and that's a real positive."

Sharks - 15 Luan Giliomee, 14 Edwill van der Merwe, 13 Jurenzo Julius, 12 Andre Esterhuizen (c), 11 Lili Bester, 10 Vusi Moyo, 9 Jaden Hendrikse, 8 Nick Hatton, 7 Manu Tshituka, 6 Phepsi Buthelezi, 5 Darrien Landsberg, 4 Jason Jenkins, 3 Vincent Koch, 2 Esethu Mnebelele, 1 Thomas du Toit.

Replacements: 16 Ethan Bester, 17 Ox Nche, 18 Hanro Jacobs, 19 Eben Etzebeth, 20 Matt Romao, 21 Ivan van Zyl, 22 Zekhethelo Siyaya, 23 Ethan Hooker.

READ MORE: Former Bok coach believes Wallabies loss is already water under the bridge