Springbok thumper Andre Esterhuizen is set to go head-to-head with All Blacks midfielder Jordie Barrett when the Sharks take on Leinster at Kings Park on Saturday.

The Springbok centre regains the No 12 jersey having returned from injury off the bench in last week’s 35-34 win against Zebre in Durban. As a result, Ethan Hooker moves to the right wing, with Yaw Penxe taking over from the injured Henry Immelman at fullback.

In the pack, James Venter replaces Phepsi Buthelezi at openside flank. Bok lock Eben Etzebeth remains sidelined after suffering a hamstring injury during the recent alignment camp in Cape Town.

The Sharks are currently fourth on the Vodacom URC table and looking to consign log-leaders Leinster to a second consecutive defeat on their South African tour.

SHARKS – 15 Yaw Penxe, 14 Ethan Hooker, 13 Jurenzo Julius, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10, Jordan Hendrikse, 9 Jaden Hendrikse, 8 Siya Kolisi (c), 7 Vincent Tshituka, 6 James Venter, 5 Emile van Heerden, 4 Jason Jenkins, 3 Vincent Koch, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Ox Nche.
Bench: 16 Fez Mbatha, 17 Ntuthuko Mchunu, 18 Ruan Dreyer, 19 Corne Rahl, 20 Manu Tshituka, 21 Bradley Davids, 22 Siya Masuku, 23 Francois Venter.