Vodacom Stormers hooker Schalk Brits has been withdrawn from the team to play the Sharks at Absa Stadium on Saturday in a Vodacom Super 14 match.

Brits has flu and will not travel with the team to Durban. Hanyani Shimange will take his place in the starting line up and Huia Edmonds comes onto the bench.

Brits is an exciting hooker and has been influential in the Stormers’ great win over the defending champions, the Crusaders, the past weekend at Newlands.

He will be severely missed, but Shimange will be keen to use this opportunity to show national coach Jake White he still has what it takes to represent his country.