Sharks v Blues: Teams

The Sharks have made just one change to their starting XV for Saturday's crunch Super 14 game against the Blues in Durban.

Coach John Plumtree has kept faith with the side that beat the Lions with the only change being Andries Strauss' inclusion at No.12, where he takes over from Riaan Swanepoel, who starts on the bench.

Injuries to loose forwards Keegan Daniel and Ryan Kankowski mean that Michael Rhodes is given a chance amongst the replacements after some strong performances in the Vodacom Cup. Rhodes is set to make his Super 14 debut.

The two teams have enjoyed a very competitive relationship over the course of Super Rugby stretching back to 1996, and in 17 games played, the Sharks hold the edge with nine victories to the Blues' eight.

The Blues last won in Durban in 2004 and have not been on the right side of victory against the Sharks - home or away - in their last five encounters.

Big game

But like the Sharks, they find themselves in a kind of must-win situation.

"They're in the same position as us- mid table-ish on the log - and it's a case of winner takes all on the weekend, a real Test match for both teams," Plumtree told the Sharks website

"They have us, the Lions and the Cheetahs on tour and possibly see this as their big game. We'll be up for a big one."

Blues coach Pat Lam has made two changes, both in the back row, as his seventh-placed side chase a top-four finish.

Openside flanker Serge Lilo has been named in place of Tom Chamberlain while Peter Saili replaces Viliami Ma'afu at number eight.

With the Blues in seventh position, five points behind the fourth-placed Reds, they must win each of their remaining four matches to keep their semi-final aspirations alive.

The Sharks: 15 Patrick Lambie, 14 Odwa Ndungane, 13 Stefan Terblanche, 12 Andries Strauss, 11 JP Pietersen, 10 Andy Goode, 9 Ruan Pienaar, 8 Willem Alberts, 7 Jean Deysel, 6 Jacques Botes, 5 Johann Muller, 4 Steven Sykes, 3 Jannie du Plessis, 2 Bismarck du Plessis, 1 John Smit (capt).
Replacements:16 Craig Burden., 17 Tendai Mtawarira, 18 Alistair Hargreaves, 19 Michael Rhodes, 20 Rory Kockott, 21 Riaan Swanepoel, 22 Lwazi Mvovo.

Blues: 15 Isaia Toeava, 14 Joe Rokocoko, 13 Benson Stanley, 12 Luke McAlister, 11 Rudi Wulf, 10 Stephen Brett, 9 Alby Mathewson, 8 Peter Saili, 7 Serge Lilo, 6 Jerome Kaino, 5 Filo Paulo, 4 Kurtis Haiu, 3 John Afoa, 2 Keven Mealamu (capt), 1 Tony Woodcock.
Replacements: 16 Tom McCartney, 17 Tevita Mailau/Charlie Faumuina, 18 Andrew Van der Heijden, 19 Viliami Ma'afu, 20 Chris Smylie, 21 Rene Ranger, 22 Paul Williams.