Sharks coach John Plumtree has been afforded the luxury of naming a full-strength side for the Currie Cup semifinal encounter with the Free State Cheetahs in Durban on Saturday.

Not only have Springbok front row forwards Bismarck du Plessis and Tendai Mtawarira recovered from the injuries they suffered in the convincing win over Griquas last week, but they will be joined in the starting XV by Bok lock Johann Muller and Emerging Bok Jean Deysel.

Fullback Stefan Terblanche has retained the captaincy role he has carried with distinction in all but two games - ironically the only two defeats, both at the hands of Western Province, when Muller was captain.

Terblanche will be able to call on assistance from Bok captain John Smit, who will be in his preferred position of tighthead prop - with Du Plessis and Mtawarira completing the front row.

Muller takes over as Steven Sykes's lock partner from Alistair Hargreaves, while Deysel replaces Michael Rhodes on the flank.

The only other change to the starting XV sees Jacques Botes at flank in place of Keegan Daniel, who drops down to the replacement bench.

The backline remains unchanged, although Monty Dumond comes in for Waylon Murray on the bench.

Rhodes and Hargreaves drop out of the match-day 22 altogether.

The Sharks: 15 Stefan Terblanche (captain), 14 Odwa Ndungane, 13 Adrian Jacobs, 12 Riaan Swanepoel, 11 JP Pietersen, 10 Juan Hernandez, 9 Ruan Pienaar, 8 Ryan Kankowski, 7 Jean Deysel, 6 Jacques Botes, 5 Johann Muller, 4 Steven Sykes, 3 John Smit, 2 Bismarck du Plessis, 1 Tendai Mtawarira.
Replacements: 16 Craig Burden, 17 Jannie du Plessis, 18 Albert van den Berg, 19 Keegan Daniel, 20 Rory Kockott, 21 Monty Dumond, 22 Andries Strauss.

Date: Saturday, October 17
Venue: Absa Stadium, Durban
Kick-off: 14.30 (12.30 GMT)
Referee: Marius Jonker
Assistant referees: Pro Legoete, Christie du Preez
TMO: Johann Meuwesen