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Cape Town - Highlanders head coach Aaron Mauger has made several changes to his starting side with Waisake Naholo returning to the starting team to face the Sharks in Durban.
Naholo plays on the wing where he will partner Ben Smith, who returns to full-back, and youngster Patelesio Tomkinson in the back three.
Josh Ioane makes the playing 23 for only the second time and there is a bracket with Matt Faddes suffering a training injury to his ankle and is in a race against time to be fit for the match. Josh McKay has flown in to replace the injured Tevita Li and will take Faddes’ place on the bench if he is ruled out.
Up front, Aki Seiuli trades places with Daniel Lienert-Brown and Elliot Dixon makes way for Shannon Frizell.
“We know the Sharks recently had a good tour of Australia and New Zealand where they played some great rugby so they will present plenty of threats on Saturday,” Mauger said.
“Our guys have really embraced the tour so far and we have enjoyed each other’s company and have worked hard at getting our game to the level it needs to be each week.”
Kick-off is at 17:15 on Saturday.
Teams
Sharks
15 Curwin Bosch, 14 Sbu Nkosi, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Robert du Preez, 9 Cameron Wright, 8 Daniel du Preez, 7 Jean-Luc du Preez, 6 Philip van der Walt, 5 Ruan Botha (captain), 4 Tyler Paul, 3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Akker van der Merwe, 1 Tendai Mtawarira
Substitutes: 16 Franco Marais, 17 Juan Schoeman, 18 Ross Geldenhuys, 19 Stephan Lewies, 20 Jacques Vermeulen, 21 Louis Schreuder, 22 Marius Louw, 23 Lwazi Mvovo
Highlanders
15 Ben Smith (co-captain), 14 Waisake Naholo, 13 Rob Thompson, 12 Teihorangi Walden, 11 Patelesio Tomkinson, 10 Lima Sopoaga, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Luke Whitelock, 7 Dillon Hunt, 6 Shannon Frizell, 5 Tom Franklin, 4 Alex Ainley, 3 Tyrel Lomax, 2 Liam Coltman, 1 Aki Seiuli
Substitutes: 16 Ash Dixon (co-captain), 17 Daniel Lienert-Brown, 18 Kalolo Tuiloma, 19 Jackson Hemopo, 20 Elliot Dixon, 21 Kayne Hammington, 22 Josh Ioane, 23 Matt Faddes/Josh McKay
