Jeremy Ward has replaced Lukhanyo Am in the Sharks starting lineup for Saturday’s match against the Rebels in Ballarat.

Coach Sean Everrit has made a few alterations to his backline for the penultimate game of their Australasian tour.

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In a rotational swap that’s believed to be related to an SA Rugby resting policy, Ward comes in at outside centre for captain Am, who is being rested. Inside centre Andre Esterhuizen will take over the captaincy duties.

There’s a new halfback axis with Curwin Bosch and Sanele Nohamba starting in tandem in place of Boeta Chamberlain and Louis Schreuder.

Wing Makazole Mapimpi retains his spot after he passed his HIA test earlier in the week, but Chamberlain misses out having failed the same test.

Up front, Thomas du Toit is back in the starting XV after he had to be withdrawn from the team at the 11th hour last week.

Henco Venter, Marius Louw and Lwazi Mvovo are the new additions to the bench.

‘Curwin is good to go and slots straight back into the team. Sanele Nohamba did a job for us at 10 and did a good job there, but he is more cover than a starting flyhalf,’ Everitt said.

‘We never spoke after the game about the injuries or disruptions, the guys have all trained well throughout the pre-season and we’re not going to use that as an excuse.

‘But obviously it does have an effect on the team, especially when you have to get guys on to the bench who weren’t expecting to play.’

Super Rugby teams (Round 4)

Sharks – 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Madosh Tambwe, 13 Jeremy Ward, 12 Andre Esterhuizen (c), 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Curwin Bosch, 9 Sanele Nohamba, 8 Sikumbuzo Notshe, 7 Tyler Paul, 6 James Venter, 5 Hyron Andrews, 4 Ruben van Heerden, 3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Kerron van Vuuren, 1 Ox Nche.

Subs: 16 Craig Burden, 17 Mzamo Majola, 18 John-Hubert Meyer, 19 Le Roux Roets, 20 Hence Venter, 21 Louis Schreuder, 22 Marius Louw, 23 Lwazi Mvovo.

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