Lukhanyo Am to earn 100th cap in Sharks' quarter-fianl against Munster, Kolisi back at No 8

Springbok centre Lukhanyo Am makes a welcome return to the Sharks team to play Munster in a United Rugby Championship quarterfinal on Saturday and earns his 100th cap in the process.

Am is over a hamstring injury and replaces youngster Jurenzo Julius, while Bok captain Siya Kolisi takes over from Phepsi Buthelezi after being rested for the match against the Scarlets.

In a change to the tight five, Jason Jenkins and Emile van Heerden swap jerseys in the lock position, with the former starting in place of the latter this week.

Openside flank James Venter returns to action after sustaining a neck injury against the Ospreys and takes over from Tino Mavesere.

In an important change at flyhalf, Jordan Hendrikse has recovered from a back injury to replace Siya Masuku, who suffered a hamstring injury in the Scarlets match to leave the Sharks thin in the position.

Although the Sharks have played in some tight games in the run-in to the knock-outs, captain Eben Etzebeth admits that this has been good preparation for this stage of the tournament.

“We’ve seen in the past that play-offs can be tight affairs, and winning tight games is something we’ve done a bit of this year,” he explains. “Last year when we ended up lower on the log, we lost those tight games, but this year we’ve turned things around and won them.

“We’re used to those kinds of games, but hopefully we don’t make it that tight on Saturday.”

While his side is filled with Springboks, Munster come to Durban having proved their worth over the years and Etzebeth is under no illusions as to what is coming.

“They’re a quality side and it’s probably going to come down to discipline on the day and who has the better goal-kicker. It’s going to be a very close game.”

Sharks team

15 Aphelele Fassi 14 Ethan Hooker 13 Lukhanyo Am 12 Andre Esterhuizen 11 Makazole Mapimpi 10 Jordan Hendrikse 9 Jaden Hendrikse 8 Siya Kolisi 7 Vincent Tshituka 6 James Venter 5 Jason Jenkins, 4 Eben Etzebeth (captain) 3 Vincent Koch 2 Bongi Mbonambi 1 Ox Nche.

Bench: 16 Fez Mbatha 17 Ntuthuko Mchunu 18 Hanro Jacobs 19 Emile van Heerden 20 Phepsi Buthelezi, 21 Bradley Davids 22 Francois Venter 23 Yaw Penxe.