Christo Buchner

Johannesburg – A new captain and fullback are among the moves the Sharks have made in a desperate bid to get their first victory in this year’s Super 14.

Johann Muller will captain the Sharks in Saturday’s match against the Highlanders in Dunedin. Regular captain John Smit is being given a rest.

Patrick Lambie, 19, will debut at fullback. The Sharks teenager takes over from Stefan Terblanche, who moves to the right wing in place of Odwa Ndungane. The latter was not considered after taking hard knock to the head against the Brumbies.

Lambie was the Sharks’ under-21 player of the year last season and gets the opportunity he has been waiting for. He is a grandson of erstwhile Natal rugby boss Nic Labuschagné.

Terblanche has not performed well to date this year and with Louis Ludik still injured, Lambie gets his chance. He is a versatile player that is good on attack, defends well and has a good kicking boot.

Sharks coach John Plumtree has again changed his front-row personnel, with Jannie du Plessis moving in next to brother Bismarck at tighthead and Smit is on the bench.

The wisdom of starting every game with a different front-row combination certainly has to be questioned, especially with the Sharks getting a hiding in the scrums every week.

The lack of continuity in the front row is definitely one of the reasons for them not having a victory under their belts.

There are also changes among the loose-trio, with Jean Deysel picked on the flank in place of Willem Alberts and Keegan Daniel taking over from Jacques Botes on the other side of the scrum.

Highlanders v Sharks, Dunedin - 08:35

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