Sharks coach john Plumtree has shuffled his team to face the Stormers with a combination of injuries and rotational changes forcing his hand.

Hard running inside centre Meyer Bosman makes his return to the stating line-up in place of Tim Whitehead, who is out with a groin injury, while the experienced Marius Joubert climbs onto the bench to offer midfield cover.

Up front Plumtree has made three changes to his pack for the weekend's clash in Cape Town.

"Up front, we want to give Wiehahn Herbst an opportunity, he's had a really good pre-season and it's a good time for him," Plumtree told the media. "It's the same with Ross Skeate who comes in to the second row.

"We've had to make a change amongst the loose forwards obviously with Ryan Kankowski out and with Jacques Botes playing really well against the Bulls last week, he gets a chance."

On the bench there is an opportunity for rising star Tera (Lubabalo) Mtembu, who will provide loose forward cover, as Willem Alberts has failed in his fitness race to be ready for the rigours of Super Rugby.

South African derbies are always a physical affair and Plumtree expects nothing less against the Stormers at Newlands.

"The Stormers are not just a kicking and driving side, they have lots of attributes all over the park in terms of threats, so it's going to have to be a very good performance down there," he said.

"You have to bring physicality into the game, that's a big part of it," he adds. "But also being smart, making sure that we play in the right areas and in front of the gain line. Basic principles of rugby apply when you play against the big teams."

Sharks: 15 Riaan Viljoen, 14 Louis Ludik, 13 JP Pietersen, 12 Meyer Bosman, 11 Lwazi Mvovo, 10 Patrick Lambie, 9 Frederic Michalak, 8 Keegan Daniel (captain), 7 Marcell Coetzee, 6 Jacques Botes, 5 Ross Skeate, 4 Steven Sykes, 3 Wiehahn Herbst, 2 Bismarck du Plessis, 1 Dale Chadwick.
Replacements: 16 Craig Burden, 17 Jannie du Plessis, 18 Anton Bresler, 19 Lubabalo Mtembu, 20 Charl McLeod, 21 Marius Joubert, 22 Paul Jordaan.

Date: Saturday, March 3
Venue: Newlands, Cape Town
Kick-off: 19.10 (17.10 GMT)
Referee: Mark Lawrence (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Jason Jaftha (South Africa), Christie du Preez (South Africa)
TMO: Gerrie Coetzee (South Africa)