'No panic' as Scarlets welcome back internationals

Wales lock Jake Ball is in his second spell at Scarlets

United Rugby Championship: Sharks v Scarlets

Venue: Hollywoodbets Kings Park, Durban Date: Saturday, 25 October Kick off: 15:00 BST

Coverage: Live scores on the BBC Sport website and app

Dwayne Peel says there is "no panic" as his Scarlets side go in search of their first win of the season against Sharks.

Scarlets have been a shadow of the side which made last season's United Rugby Championship (URC) play-offs, with the squad also beset by injuries.

But Peel welcomes back five internationals for the final game before the autumn break.

Tom Rogers, Kemsley Mathias, Jake Ball and Sam Lousi all return from injury, while Joe Roberts also comes into the starting XV following last weekend's defeat by Lions.

"We know where we are and we know we need to turn it around by working together and getting through it," said Peel.

Sharks are able to name 13 current Springboks in their matchday squad, including World Cup winners Siya Kolisi, Ox Nche and the captain Eben Etzebeth.

The suspension of Makazole Mapimpi sees Edwill van der Merwe shift to wing, with Jordan Hendrikse starting at full-back.

Phepsi Buthelezi is set for his 100th Sharks appearance from the bench.

Sharks are currently the lowest ranked of the South African franchises, with three defeats and a draw against Dragons to their name.

Scarlets are winless in three outings, with their second round match against Connacht postponed due to adverse weather.

But despite the pressure to get points on the board, Peel says it is important they do not go into their shells in terms of how they want to play.

"We want to play expansive rugby, we want to play with the ball in the air and compete. We've lost the first three games, yes, but we keep working hard and the tide will turn for us," Peel said.

"We've got a big opportunity this week and then we have a couple of weeks to consolidate things and move forward for a really exciting second block," said Peel.

Sharks centre Andre Esterhuizen said their players "took a hard look at ourselves" after last weekend's home defeat to Ulster.

"It's an opportunity for us to rectify things," said the 23-cap Springbok.

"It's no use having a superstar team if we don't play like one – together. Everything revolves around team and we must stick together, whether it goes well or goes bad.

"Every time we've played them [Scarlets], they've made the game quite messy because they like it loose and like to play off turnovers.

"We expect a hard, physical battle, it's always like that against the Welsh sides, they have a lot of flair, so we need to counter that and play to our strengths."

Line-ups

Sharks: J Hendrikse; Hooker, Am, Esterhuizen, van der Merwe; Masuku, Williams; Nche, Mbonambi, Koch, Etzebeth (capt), Orie, Kolisi, V Tshituka, E Tshituka

Replacements: Mbatha, Dawson, Mazibuko, Scheepers, Buthelezi, J Hendrikse, Smith, Julius

Scarlets: Murray; Rogers, Roberts, Williams (capt), Mee; Costelow, Blacker; Mathias, van der Merwe, Holz, Ball, Cuckson, Lousi, Davis, Plumtree.

Replacements: Myhill, Hepburn, Thomas, Groves, Taylor, Hughes, Hawkins, Nicholas.

Officials

Referee: Sam Grove-White (Scotland)

Assistants: Griffin Colby (South Africa), Aimee Barrett-Theron (South Africa)

TMO: Eoghan Cross (Ireland)