The match at Jonsson Kings Park between the top two teams on the table kicks off at 19h00 and will be broadcast live on SuperSport.
Am, who has been out of action for a few weeks due to injury, takes over the No 13 jersey and the captaincy from Jeremy Ward, while Nkosi will start at right wing, with Yaw Penxe moving across to the left, while Madosh Tambwe drops out of the match day squad this weekend.
Cell C Sharks head coach Sean Everitt made a few changes upfront as well – Daniel Jooste takes over from Kerron van Vuuren in a rotational switch at hooker, while the experienced duo of Henco Venter and Sikhumbuzo Notshe are both back in the loose trio.
Everitt has also added a forward-dominated bench with a six-two split in anticipation of a physical onslaught from the Vodacom Bulls.
Sikhumbuzo Notshe
The clash between the two packs will be intense and Springbok tighthead prop Thomas du Toit is expecting a big battle from the visitors.
“As always with the Bulls, we feel that we really need to up our game because you have to give them credit for the great rugby they’ve been playing and it shows,” said Du Toit.
“We know we need to deliver our best performance if we want to beat these guys, that’s going to be vital. It’s an absolutely massive game for us this weekend, one we’re very excited about.”
On the bench, Mzamo Majola and Michael Kumbirai provide prop cover, while JJ van der Mescht and Thembelani Bholi drop down to the replacements from their starting positions a fortnight ago.
Former Junior Springbok scrumhalf Jaden Hendrikse is also back in the mix after being sidelined for since the season restart due to injury. If he takes the field, it will be his Carling Currie Cup debut for the KwaZulu-Natalians.
Cell C Sharks: 15 Manie Libbok, 14 Sbu Nkosi, 13 Lukhanyo Am (captain), 12 Marius Louw, 11 Yaw Penxe, 10 Curwin Bosch, 9 Sanele Nohamba, 8 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 7 Henco Venter, 6 Dylan Richardson, 5 Hyron Andrews, 4 Ruben van Heerden, 3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Daniel Jooste, 1 Ox Nche. Replacements: 16 Kerron van Vuuren, 17 Mzamo Majola, 18 Michael Kumbirai, 19 JJ van der Mescht, 20 Thembelani Bholi, 21 Phepsi Buthelezi, 22 Jaden Hendrickse, 23 Jeremy Ward.
Match information – Cell C Sharks v Vodacom Bulls
Date: Saturday, 12 December 2020
Time: 19h00
Venue: Jonsson Kings Park, Durban
Referee: Marius van der Westhuizen
Assistant Referees: Stuart Berry, Aimee Barrett-Theron
TMO: Marius Jonker
TV: SuperSport Rugby and Grandstand
