Durban - Springbok flyhalf Pat Lambie has been included on the Sharks bench for Saturday’s Currie Cup clash against the Eastern Province Kings at Kings Park.
Lambie has been sidelined with concussion after taking a bad knock while playing for the Boks against Ireland in June.
All the concussion ‘return-to-play’ protocols have been met which enabled the Sharks to include him in their match-day squad.
Lambie’s calmness under pressure will be important for the Durbanites, particularly so given the loss of the experienced Odwa Ndungane who is out for the remainder of the season. His place on the wing is taken by Rhyno Smith, while Wandile Mjekevu is in for S’bura Sithole.
Scrumhalf Michael Claassens replaces Stefan Ungerer to bring added experience to the starting line-up.
There are also a number of changes up front, with Francois Kleinhans shifting to No 8 to replace Philip van der Walt who took a nasty smack against Free State and is unavailable this week. This opens the door for Khaya Majola who starts on the flank.
In a re-jigged front row, Thomas du Toit shifts to loosehead prop with John-Hubert Meyer coming in at tighthead, and new hooker Chiliboy Ralepelle handed the captaincy.
Kick-off for Saturday's clash is scheduled for 15:00.
Teams:
Sharks
15 Curwin Bosch, 14 Rhyno Smith, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Wandile Mjekevu, 10 Inny Radebe, 9 Michael Claassens, 8 Francois Kleinhans, 7 Jean-Luc du Preez, 6 Khaya Majola, 5 Ruan Botha, 4 Etienne Oosthuizen, 3 John-Hubert Meyer, 2 Chiliboy Ralepelle (captain), 1 Thomas du Toit
Substitutes: 16 Franco Marais, 17 Juan Schoeman, 18 Jean Droste, 19 Jean Deysel, 20 Stefan Ungerer, 21 Pat Lambie, 22 Neil Maritz
EP Kings
15 Lungelo Gosa, 14 Siviwe Soyizwapi, 13 Burton Klaasen, 12 Waylon Murray, 11 Sampie Mastriet, 10 Pieter-Steyn de Wet, 9 Ricky Schroeder (captain), 8 Christiaan de Bruin, 7 Brandon Brown, 6 Vince Jobo, 5 Sebastian Ferreira, 4 Dylan Pieterse, 3 Justin Forwood, 2 Martin Bezuidenhout, 1 Barend Portgieter
Substitutes: 16 Warrick Venter, 17 Vukile Sofisa, 18 Etienne Oosthuizen, 19 Luke van der Smit, 20 Vian van der Watt, 21 Minenhle Mthethwa, 22 Alcino Isaacs