Back row Ollie Griffiths will captain Dragons RFC when they face Hollywoodbets Sharks in the BKT United Rugby Championship on Saturday evening (kick-off 5.05pm UK time).
Griffiths will lead the team at Hollywoodbets Kings Park as Head Coach Dai Flanagan makes four changes to the side that defeated Ospreys in derby action last weekend.
The only change in the back line is a second start of the season for scrum half Dane Blacker.
Two new props feature from the start with Samoa international Aki Seiuli and tighthead Chris Coleman packing down either side of Durban-born Bradley Roberts.
The final change is a call-up for George Nott who partners Matthew Screech in the second row.
Back row Harri Keddie, lock Joe Davies and hooker James Benjamin are named among the replacements.
Flanagan said: “We've got to play with ambition. We know we've got to score tries out in South Africa to win games. First and foremost, we need to make sure our attack is on point.
“Our defence will be critical to get us turnovers as well, especially this week.
“We know Sharks will throw the ball around, so we've got to be all-action and concentrate for 80 minutes, so we don't let anything weak in.
“The performance against Ospreys really pleased me and we need to build on that,” he added.
“The first 25 minutes, when we were able to move the ball, stress and fatigue them, I was pleased with our game.
“We found what I would class as our DNA, a style of play. We should’ve been more accurate at the end of the game to score more, but we’ll take the win and now look to the challenge in South Africa.”
Dragons RFC: Cai Evans, Rio Dyer, Sio Tomkinson, Aneurin Owen, Ewan Rosser, Will Reed, Dane Blacker; Aki Seiuli, Bradley Roberts, Chris Coleman, Matthew Screech, George Nott, Sean Lonsdale, Ollie Griffiths (c), Aaron Wainwright
Replacements: James Benjamin, Rhodri Jones, Lloyd Fairbrother, Joe Davies, Harri Keddie, Rhodri Williams, Steff Hughes, Ashton Hewitt
Unavailable (14): Harri Ackerman (shoulder), Taine Basham (suspension), Gonzalo Bertranou (knock), Leon Brown (calf), Ben Carter (hamstring), Elliot Dee (ribs), Jack Dixon (knock), Dan Lydiate (ribs), Rodrigo Martinez (calf), Angus O’Brien (arm), Josh Reynolds (pec), Jared Rosser (knock), David Richards (back), Joe Westwood (leg)
