Sharks v Lions: Teams
Tendai Mtawarira has been included on the bench in the only change to the Sharks squad for Saturday's clash against the Lions.
Last Updated: 19/02/09 9:57am
Tendai 'Beast' Mtawarira has been included on the bench in the only change to the Sharks squad for Saturday's Super 14 clash against the Lions in Durban.
Mtawarira missed the Sharks' opener against the Stormers as a result of a sternum injury, but has been reintroduced to the squad in place of Melusi Mthethwa, and could make a telling impact when he comes on.
Deon Carstens will continue in the role of loosehead prop, with John Smit maintained at hooker ahead of Bismarck du Plessis, with Jannie du Plessis completing the front row.
Keegan Daniel's performance against the Stormers is enough to hold onto the openside berth ahead of Jacques Botes.
The Sharks need to maintain their winning start ahead of their four-match Australasian tour - which will see them face the Chiefs, Blues, Reds and Western Force on consecutive weekends.
After an encouraging start to the Super 14 season, the Lions have named an unchanged squad to travel to Durban.
Coach Eugene Eloff has kept faith with the team that earned a 34-28 bonus point victory over the Cheetahs in Johannesburg.
"We know it will be tough in Durban, but we are looking forward to the battle," said Eloff.
Sharks: 15 Stefan Terblanche, 14 Odwa Ndungane, 13 Adrian Jacobs, 12 Francois Steyn, 11 JP Pietersen, 10 Ruan Pienaar, 9 Rory Kockott, 8 Ryan Kankowski, 7 Jean Deysel, 6 Keegan Daniel, 5 Johann Muller (c), 4 Steven Sykes, 3 Jannie du Plessis, 2 John Smit, 1 Deon Carstens.
Replacements: 16 Bismarck du Plessis, 17 Tendai Mtawarira, 18 Alistair Hargreaves, 19 Jacques Botes, 20 Ross Cronje, 21 Riaan Swanepoel, 22 Luzuko Vulindlu.
Lions: 15 Louis Ludik, 14 Ashwin Willemse, 13 Jaque Fourie, 12 Doppies la Grange, 11 Henno Mentz, 10 Earl Rose, 9 Jano Vermaak, 8 Willem Alberts, 7 Franco van der Merwe, 6 Cobus Grobbelaar (c), 4 Anton van Zyl, 5 Gerhard Mostert, 3 Gert Muller, 2 Willie Wepener, 1 Heinke van der Merwe.
Replacements: 16 Hans van Dyk, 17 Lawrence Sephaka, 18 Rynard Landman, 19 Todd Clever, 20 Chris Jonck, 21 Andre Pretorius, 22 Jannie Boshoff.
