Johannesburg - The Lions have made a drastic change to their side that takes on the Sharks at Coca-Cola Park on Saturday, with former Leopards scrumhalf Michael Bondesio earning a place in the match-22 ahead of Rory Kockott.

Lions coach John Mitchell confirmed that the former Sharks player, Kockott, will be pursuing a career overseas.

"Rory's future is in France, so I thought it was important that Michael Bondesio gets experience at Super Rugby before we close this campaign - bearing in mind that he's definitely our future," said Mitchell.
 
Teams:

Lions:
15 Jaco Taute, 14 Dylan Des Fountain, 13 Doppies la Grange (capt.), 12 Alwyn Hollenbach, 11 Deon van Rensburg, 10 Butch James, 9 Jano Vermaak, 8 Josh Strauss, 7 Derick Minnie, 6 Cobus Grobbelaar/Jaco Kriel, 5 Franco van der Merwe/David de Villiers, 4 Wikus van Heerden, 3 Patric Cilliers, 2 Bandise Maku, 1 JC Janse van Rensburg

Substitutes: 16 Edgar Marutlulle, 17 Jacobie Adriaanse, 18 David de Villiers/David Bulbring, 19 Warren Whiteley, 20 Michael Bondesio, 21 Elton Jantjies, 22 Michael Killian

Sharks:
15. Louis Ludik, 14. JP Pietersen, 13. Stefan Terblanche, 12. Meyer Bosman, 11. Lwazi Mvovo, 10. Patrick Lambie, 9. Charl McLeod, 8. Ryan Kankowski, 7. Keegan Daniel, 6. Jacques Botes, 5. Gerhard Mostert, 4. Steven Sykes, 3. Eugene van Staden, 2. John Smit (captain), 1. Beast Mtawarira      

Substitutes: 16. Bismarck du Plessis, 17. Wiehahn Herbst, 18. Alistair Hargreaves, 19. Marcell Coetzee, 20. Frederic Michalak, 21. Jacques-Louis Potgieter, 22. Adrian Jacobs