Durban - The Sharks have benched Springbok skipper John Smit for their Super 14 clash against the Highlanders in Dunedin on Saturday.

Kick-off is at 08:35 SA time.

Smit's place at hooker will be filled by Bismarck du Plessis, who will scrum down in the front row alongside his brother Jannie, and Beast Mtawarira.

Lock Johann Muller will take over as captain.

Exciting youngster Patrick Lambie starts in the fullback position, with regular No 15, Stefan Terblanche, moving to the right wing.

The Sharks, who currently occupy 12th spot in the standings, are desperate for their first victory in this year's Super 14, after starting the season with genuine playoff ambitions.

Teams:

Highlanders:
15. Israel Dagg, 14. Ben Smith, 13. Kenny Lynn, 12. Michael Hobbs, 11. James Paterson, 10. Robbie Robinson, 9. Jimmy Cowan, 8. Adam Thomson, 7. Alando Soakai, 6. John Hardie, 5. Hayden Triggs, 4. Josh Bekhuis, 3. Clint Newland, 2. Jason Rutledge, 1. Jamie Mackintosh

Substitutes: 16. Jason Macdonald, 17. Chris King, 18. Joe Tuineau, 19. Tim Boys/Steven Setephano, 20. Sean Romans, 21. Jayden Hayward, 22. Fetu’u Vainikolo

Sharks:
15. Patrick Lambie, 14. Stefan Terblanche, 13. Adrian Jacobs, 12. Riaan Swanepoel, 11. JP Pietersen, 10. Andy Goode, 9. Ruan Pienaar, 8. Ryan Kankowski, 7. Jean Deysel, 6. Keegan Daniel, 5. Johann Muller (captain), 4. Steven Sykes, 3. Jannie du Plessis, 2. Bismarck du Plessis, 1. Tendai Mtawarira

Substitutes: 16. Craig Burden, 17. John Smit, 18. Alistair Hargreaves, 19. Willem Alberts, 20. Jacques Botes, 21. Rory Kockott, 22. Waylon Murray