Buthelezi missed the Sharks last Currie Cup clash, but is back in the squad and will lead them out against the men in the red jerseys, who got their tour off to a winning start with a 56-14 victory over the Sigma Lions on Saturday.

“We have only played two games in the Carling Currie Cup, but our group has been together for some time and they’re looking forward to the challenge,” admitted head coach Sean Everitt of this clash against an international northern hemisphere combination.

“The chief goal is that we go into this game well-prepared and for the players to understand what’s coming their way. Not many of our players in the [Currie Cup] squad have international experience and that includes Super Rugby, so yes, this is a big challenge.

“We have to get the fundamentals right otherwise we will be punished on the day.”

Apart from welcoming back Buthelezi, Everitt has named a relatively unchanged line-up, making one change in the front row where Wiehahn Herbst replaces Khutha Mchunu.

Sharks - 15 Manie Libbok, 14 Werner Kok, 13 Jeremy Ward, 12 Marius Louw, 11 Thaakir Abrahams, 10 Curwin Bosch, 9 Jaden Hendrikse, 8 Phepsi Buthelezi (captain), 7 Thembelani Bholi, 6 James Venter, 5 Hyron Andrews, 4 Ruben van Heerden, 3 Khutha Mchunu, 2 Fez Mbatha, 1 Khwezi Mona. 

Replacements - 16 Kerron van Vuuren, 17 Ntuthuko Mchunu, 18 Wiehahn Herbst, 19 JJ van der Mescht, 20 Reniel Hugo, 21 Dylan Richardson, 22 Grant Williams, 23 Anthony Volmink.