Explosive hooker Craig Burden will start his first game of the Super Rugby season when the Sharks take on the Hurricanes in New Plymouth, New Zealand, on Friday (9.35am kick-off SA time).
 
Incumbent No 2 Bismarck du Plessis has been battling with a quad strain this week and so coach John Plumtree has opted to give the Springbok star somewhat of a rest by picking him among the substitutes.
 
In his absence from the starting line-up, it will be a big opportunity for Burden to make his presence felt, with the well-built youngster having waited patiently to get his chance this season.
 
Burden’s elevation to the run-on XV is one of just two changes to the Sharks team from last weekend, with Louis Ludik replacing the injured Odwa Ndungane on the wing.
 
Ndungane sustained a groin injury in training and has had to return home, with Conrad Hoffmann receiving the call-up to join the squad overseas.
 
After Friday’s all-important game against the Hurricanes, the Sharks will complete their overseas leg with a clash against the Blues in Auckland.
 

Sharks: 15 Riaan Viljoen, 14 Louis Ludik, 13 JP Pietersen, 12 Tim Whitehead, 11 Lwazi Mvovo, 10 Frederic Michalak, 9 Charl McLeod, 8 Keegan Daniel (captain), 7 Willem Alberts, 6 Marcell Coetzee, 5 Jandré Marais, 4 Steven Sykes, 3 Jannie du Plessis, 2 Craig Burden, 1 Dale Chadwick.
Replacements: 16 Bismarck du Plessis, 17 Wiehahn Herbst, 18 Anton Bresler, 19 Jean Deysel, 20 Jacques Botes, 21 Meyer Bosman, 22. Marius Joubert/Paul Jordaan.
 
Hurricanes: 15 Andre Taylor, 14 Cory Jane, 13 Conrad Smith (captain), 12 Tim Bateman, 11 Julian Savea, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 TJ Perenara, 8 Faifili Levave, 7 Karl Lowe, 6 Jack Lam, 5 Jason Eaton, 4 James Broadhurst, 3 Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, 2 Dane Coles, 1 Ben May.
Replacements: 16 Motu Matu'u, 17 Michael Bent, 18 Jeremy Thrush, 19 Mark Reddish, 20 Chris Eaton, 21 Tusi Pisi, 22 Charlie Ngatai.