Centre Jeremy Ward will captain the Sharks in their preparation fixture against Griquas in Durban on Sunday.
Regular captain Lukhanyo Am is rested, while Springbok captain Siya Kolisi, a new recruit from the Stormers, also does not feature.
Most of the Sharks' match-day 23 are familiar faces, with welcome returns from injury for hooker Kerron van Vuuren and loose forward James Venter, while there are opportunities for youngsters like scrumhalf Grant Williams and centre Murray Koster who have all been handed starts.
The Sharks are joined by the Stormers, Pumas and Eastern Province Elephants in Pool B, with each team taking on the other sides in Pool A consisting of the Bulls, Lions, Cheetahs and Griquas.
Sunday's clash at Kings Park kicks off at 17:15.
Teams:
Sharks
15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Werner Kok, 13 Jeremy Ward (captain), 12 Murray Koster, 11 Anthony Volmink, 10 Manie Libbok, 9 Grant Williams, 8 Phepsi Buthelezi, 7 Thembelani Bholi, 6 James Venter, 5 Hyron Andrews, 4 JJ van der Mescht, 3 Michael Kumbirai, 2 Kerron van Vuuren, 1 Khwezi Mona
Substitutes: 16 Fez Mbatha, 17 Ntuthuka Mchunu, 18 John-Hubert Meyer, 19 Reniel Hugo, 20 Mpilo Gumede, 21 Jaden Hendrikse, 22 Jordan Chait, 23 Thaakir Abrahams
Griquas
TBA
Our Cell C Sharks players will be honouring the frontline workers of our country on our match playing jerseys for the duration of the preparation series fixtures. The hashtag #FrontlineFighters will feature on the back of our playing jerseys as we salute these selfless heroes ?? pic.twitter.com/m6uah1SwQR
— The Sharks (@TheSharksZA) February 26, 2021
