Johan Mulder starts at scrumhalf in one of eight changes to the Cardiff XV for Friday’s Vodacom URC match against the Sharks at Kings Park.
The 26-year-old South African, who joined Cardiff in 2024 after spells with the Bulls, Griquas and Lions, has earned 28 caps for the Welsh club.
Cardiff have overhauled their line-up following last week’s 40-7 defeat to the Bulls at Loftus, with five changes in the pack.
Corey Domachowski and Keiron Assiratti come into the front row on either side of captain Liam Belcher, while Rory Thornton starts in the second row after George Nott’s injury. In the back row, James Botham and Taulupe Faletau are promoted to the starting XV.
In the backline, Ioan Lloyd gets a run at fullback, while Iwan Stephens replaces Jacob Beetham, who failed a HIA in Pretoria, on the right wing.
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“We were disappointed with last weekend’s defeat to the Bulls and just felt we were one or two seconds, or one or two metres off it,” said Cardiff coach Corniel van Zyl.
“That has been reviewed, and we have prepared well in Durban this week. It is another opportunity to fight for this group and for jersey, and hopefully to put some points on the log.
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“There is no question that the Sharks are a quality team. They have an all round game built on a solid set-piece and physicality up front, with some top-class backs behind.
“They had a big win over Munster last time out and will be fighting to the end to get into the playoff places, so we know it is going to be a very big test.
“We will have to be at our best. We know what we have to improve and hopefully we will be able to put our game on the pitch.”
CARDIFF – 15 Ioan Lloyd, 14 Iwan Stephens, 13 Harri Millard, 12 Ben Thomas, 11 Mason Grady, 10 Callum Sheedy, 9 Johan Mulder, 8 Taulupe Faletau, 7 Dan Thomas, 6 James Botham, 5 Rory Thornton, 4 Josh McNally, 3 Keiron Assiratti, 2 Liam Belcher (c), 1 Corey Domachowski.
Bench: 16 Daf Hughes, 17 Danny Southworth, 18 Javan Sebastian, 19 Alun Lawrence, 20 Taine Basham, 21 Ellis Bevan, 22 Rory Jennings, 23 Elijah Evans.
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