Springboks captain Siya Kolisi will make his second debut for the Sharks against defending URC champions Glasgow Warriors on Saturday.
Head coach John Plumtree has welcomed the return of the inspirational flanker who returns to Durban after a stint in France with Racing 92.
Kolisi features in a Springboks-laden side captained by Eben Etzebeth, who makes his first appearance of the 2024/25 season after becoming the most capped Bok of all-time in the Rugby Championship decider in Nelspruit.
The Sharks head into their first home game of the season after an underwhelming tour north where they claimed just one win from three and were hammered 38-10 by Benetton last time out.
Springboks-laden Sharks to tackle Glasgow Warriors
Aphelele Fassi and Makazole Mapimpi are amongst the players returning from Springboks duties after winning the Rugby Championship and start in the back-three along with winger Eduan Keyter.
Lukhanyo Am also returns to start in an all-Springboks midfield along with Andre Esterhuizen while brothers Jaden and Jordan Hendrikse start as a half-back pairing for the first time in a professional match.
Number eight Phepsi Buthelezi is the only forward to retain his starting role from the defeat to Benetton and he is joined in the back-row by Manu Tshituka and Kolisi.
Etzbeth skippers the team from the second-row with Emile van Heerden who returns from injury while Plumtree has selected an all-Springboks front-row with props Ox Nche and Vincent Koch either side of hooker Bongi Mbonambi.
There is another returning Springboks star on the bench as Grant Williams is fit once again after sustaining an injury that saw him miss the final two rounds of the Rugby Championship.
The other replacements include double World Cup winner Trevor Nyakane, prop Ruan Dreyer and hooker Fez Mbatha who provide front-row cover. Jason Jenkins and James Venter are the other two forward replacements with Williams joined by fly-half Siya Masuku and centre Jurenzo Julius as the three backline substitutions.
In total, there are nine Rugby World Cup winners in the starting XV, a further two on the bench, with just seven of the 23 yet to play international rugby.
Sharks team v Glasgow Warriors
Sharks: 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Eduan Keyter, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Jordan Hendrikse, 9 Jaden Hendrikse, 8 Phepsi Buthelezi, 7 Emmanuel Tshituka, 6 Siya Kolisi, 5 Emile van Heerden, 4 Eben Etzebeth (c), 3 Vincent Koch, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Ox NcheReplacements: 16 Fez Mbatha, 17 Trevor Nyakane, 18 Ruan Dreyer, 19 Jason Jenkins, 20 James Venter, 21 Grant Williams, 22 Siya Masuku, 23 Jurenzo Julius
Venue: Hollywoodbets Kings Park, Durban
Kick-off: 14.45 IRE & UK / 15.45 ITA & SA
Referee: Chris Busby (IRFU, 44th league game)
Assistant Referees: Marius van der Westhuizen (SARU), Stephan Geldenhuys (SARU)
