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Lewies, Du Toit start for Sharks

Durban -  The Cell C Sharks welcome five players back from injury as they look to finish their home commitments in the pool stages of the Currie Cup on a high against the visiting Golden Lions on Friday night, Sharks website editor Michael Marnewick reports.

Continuity is always important and the backline remains unchanged from last week’s team, and one that found its attacking prowess against the EP Kings in a 53-24 victory.

Although continuity amongst the forwards isn’t quite as settled, the importance of returning players cannot be understated. Jacques Botes, the most capped rugby player in South Africa brings experience, calmness and dynamic play to the team.

Stephan Lewies, who called the lineouts in Super Rugby and was rewarded for his great form in the competition with a Springbok cap in June, returns to the starting line-up, as does loosehead prop Thomas du Toit.

Kyle Cooper remains an injury concern and has been bracketed in with Monde Hadebe at hooker. He will be subject to a late fitness test.

Matt Stevens and Fred Zeilinga have both also been passed fit to play and have been named on the bench.

The Lions will come to Kings Park looking for an important victory, one that will guarantee a home semi-final, while the Sharks will also harbour hopes of finishing in the top two, something a victory of their own would bring closer.

“The Lions are one of the front runners in the competition, and they have really set the Currie Cup alight since the first round,” says coach Brad MacLeod-Henderson. “So we know we've got a huge challenge on our hands, one we’re looking forward to.”

Kick-off for Friday night's clash is scheduled for 19:10.

Teams:

Sharks:

15. SP Marais, 14. S'bura Sithole, 13. Paul Jordaan, 12. Andre Esterhuizen, 11. Lwazi Mvovo, 10. Lionel Cronje, 9. Cameron Wright, 8. Tera Mtembu (captain), 7. Etienne Oosthuizen, 6. Jacques Botes, 5. Marco Wentzel, 4. Stephan Lewies, 3. Lourens Adriaanse, 2. Kyle Cooper/Monde Hadebe, 1. Thomas du Toit

Substitutes: 16. Monde Hadebe/Franco Marais, 17. Dale Chadwick, 18. Matt Stevens, 19. JC Astle, 20. Khaya Majola, 21. Conrad Hoffmann, 22. Fred Zeilinga

Golden Lions:

15. Andries Coetzee, 14. Ruan Combrinck, 13. Lionel Mapoe (captain), 12. Stokkies Hanekom, 11. Courtnall Skosan, 10. Marnitz Boshoff, 9. Ross Cronje, 8. Willie Britz, 7. Warwick Tecklenburg, 6. Jaco Kriel, 5. Franco Mostert, 4. Martin Muller, 3. Ruan Dreyer, 2. Robbie Coetzee, 1. Schalk van der Merwe

Substitutes: 16. Armand van der Merwe, 17. Julian Redelinghuys, 18. Jacques van Rooyen, 19. Derick Minnie, 20. Kwagga Smith, 21. Mark Richards, 22. Howard Mnisi

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