Cardiff Rugby have made eight changes for their BKT United Rugby Championship clash with Hollywoodbets Sharks on Friday. 

The Blue & Blacks travel to Durban on the back of a disappointing defeat to Vodacom Bulls a week ago and Corniel van Zyl has refreshed his starting line-up.

There are five changes to the pack with Corey Domachowski and Keiron Assiratti coming in either side of captain Liam Belcher in the front-row.

Rory Thornton starts in the second-row following injury to George Nott, while James Botham and Taulupe Faletau also step up in the back-row.

Behind the pack, Johan Mulder has joined the squad and returns to the number nine jersey alongside Callum Sheedy.

Ioan Lloyd is given an opportunity at full-back, while Iwan Stephens replaces Jacob Beetham, who failed a HIA in Pretoria.

Cardiff go into the encounter sitting fifth in the URC table, in a hugely competitive race to the play-offs and have triumphed on their two previous visits to Kings Park.

However, they are acutely aware that they face an in-form Sharks team, who are unbeaten in their last six fixtures with Welsh opposition, and on the back of an impressive victory over Munster. 

Van Zyl said: “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.

“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.

“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 play-off 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.”

Van Zyl has named a traditional 5-3 split on the replacements bench with Alun Lawrence providing the second-row cover.

Cardiff Rugby team to take on Hollywoodbets Sharks at Kings Park on Friday, March 27, at 7pm (SAST):

Ioan Lloyd; Iwan Stephens, Harri Millard, Ben Thomas, Mason Grady; Callum Sheedy, Johan Mulder; Corey Domachowski, Liam Belcher (capt), Keiron Assiratti, Josh McNally, Rory Thornton, James Botham, Dan Thomas, Taulupe Faletau.

Replacements: Daf Hughes, Danny Southworth, Javan Sebastian, Alun Lawrence, Taine Basham, Ellis Bevan, Rory Jennings, Elijah Evans.