Johann de Jager

Bloemfontein – Ryan McLaren was released by the Proteas on Monday afternoon to play for the Diamond Eagles against the Dolphins this week.

This SuperSport match, starting on Wednesday in Kimberley, will see the two teams fighting to avoid a spot at the bottom of the log.

All-rounder McLaren will be up against his coach at Kent, Graham Ford.

McLaren, in line to replace Jacques Kallis in the national side should he have been injured, was initially not named in the Eagles squad. His late inclusion is one of three possible changes to the bowling attack given that Johan van der Wath and Victor Mpitsang have been declared fit.

Van der Wath missed the last three games due to a knee injury. He replaces CJ de Villiers, who has been granted some time out because of his high workload of late.

Mpitsang has missed the last two games because of a groin injury. His return will be in brand new equipment as his old equipment was recently stolen with his car.

And in an intriguing battle, Mpitsang will be bowling to good friend Loots Bosman. They will be opponents in Kimberley for the first time since starting their careers together in the city.

Bosman struck an unbeaten century against the Lions in his previous game for the Dolphins, but a stomach virus kept him from playing against the Warriors last week.

Apart from Bosman, former Proteas player Andrew Hall will also be making a comeback after recovering from a hamstring injury.

Opening bowler Yusuf Abdulla is still struggling with a groin injury and will not make the trip to Kimberley.

The teams:

Eagles (from): Dean Elgar, Reeza Hendricks, Rilee Rossouw, Boeta Dippenaar (capt), Ryan Bailey, Morné van Wyk, Con de Lange, Johan van der Wath, Dillon du Preez, Victor Mpitsang, Gino Vries, Shadley van Schalkwyk, Ryan McLaren, Thandi Tshabalala.

Dolphins (from): Imraan Khan (capt), Loots Bosman, Bradley Barnes, Ahmed Amla, Cameron Delport, Jon Kent, David Miller, Daryn Smit, Johann Louw, Quinton Friend, Mothokozisi Shezi, Andrew Hall.