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Wentzel back to lead Sharks

Having played off the bench in last week's loss to the Blue Bulls, Wentzel captains a team that shows only a couple of changes.

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His return means Etienne Oosthuizen moves to the flank, with Christiaan de Bruin named on the bench.

David McDuling, who played in the No.5 jersey last week, will wear No.4 this week – with Wentzel at No.5.

The Sharks are still without several key players, who have been ruled out through injury – Lourens Adriaanse – (right shoulder), Khaya Majola (meniscus), Daniel du Preez (knee), Jean-Luc du Preez (wrist fracture), John-Charles Astle (chest) and Dale Chadwick (neck).

The Sharks go into their penultimate round of Currie Cup fixtures with the pressure of requiring a full-house five points to keep their play-off hopes alive.

The last two games – against Griquas in Kimberley this weekend and Free State in Bloemfontein the next – are effectively knock-out matches.

The Free State Cheetahs, who are four points ahead of the Sharks on the standings, have a tricky clash against the Pumas in Nelspruit.

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Should both the Sharks and Cheetahs win their respective matches, or the Free State outfit lose, the Sharks then have to beat the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein next week to secure a play-off spot.

Sharks: 15 Odwa Ndungane, 14 Wandile Mjekevu, 13 Paul Jordaan, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Sibusiso Sithole, 10 Joe Pietersen, 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Philip van der Walt, 7 Etienne Oosthuizen, 6 Francois Kleinhans, 5 Marco Wentzel (captain), 4 Dave McDuling, 3 Gerhard Engelbrecht, 2 Franco Marais, 1 Thomas du Toit.

Replacements: 16 Kyle Cooper, 17 Mzamo Majola, 18 Christiaan de Bruin, 19 Jean Deysel, 20 Michael Claassens, 21 Heimar Williams, 22 Garth April.

Date: Saturday, October 3

Venue: GWK Park, Kimberley

Kick-off: 15.00 (13.00 GMT)

Referee: Rasta Rasivhenge

Assistant referees: Quinton Immelman, Pieter Janse van Vuuren

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