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JP Pietersen.

Springbok winger JP Pietersen will make his debut for the Sharks at centre in their opening Super Rugby match against the Bulls in Pretoria on Friday.

Coach John Plumtree has also named new signings Tim Whitehead and Riaan Viljoen in the starting XV for the first time in a competitive match for the Durban franchise, while Dale Chadwick’s selection in the front row means three debutants will start for the coastal side.

Another debutant, Paul Jordaan, sits on the bench.

“It’s been a long and hard pre-season,” Plumtree said.

“The boys are just looking forward to get going now.”

Pietersen played all the pre-season games in midfield, where he impressed, while centre Whitehead and fullback Viljoen, who joined from Western Province and Griquas respectively, have also fitted in admirably.

Chadwick was one of the stand-out players for a young Sharks team during last season’s Currie Cup campaign.

Steven Sykes, who rejoined six months after leaving for Irish club Leinster, is also back in the Black and White and starts at lock.

Flanker Keegan Daniel captain’s the team officially for the first time in Super Rugby after taking over the armband from the departed John Smit, with national hooker Bismarck du Plessis his deputy.

Springboks Lwazi Mvovo, Patrick Lambie, Ryan Kankowski and Jannie du Plessis also start, along with French ace Frederic Michalak.

Sharks team: Riaan Viljoen, Louis Ludik, JP Pietersen, Tim Whitehead, Lwazi Mvovo, Patrick Lambie, Frederic Michalak, Ryan Kankowski, Marcell Coetzee, Keegan Daniel (captain), Anton Bresler, Steven Sykes, Jannie du Plessis, Bismarck du Plessis, Dale Chadwick. Replacements: Craig Burden, Wiehahn Herbst, Ross Skeate, Jacques Botes, Charl McLeod, Meyer Bosman, Paul Jordaan. – Sapa

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