Durban – Springbok pair JP Pietersen and Lwazi Mvovo return from injury to the Sharks’ starting XV, while another Lions player JC Janse van Rensburg is set to debut after being included on the bench for the clash against the Highlanders in Dunedin on Saturday.
Coach John Plumtree made a total of six changes to his run-on side, with captain Keegan Daniel reinstated after being given a break against the Chiefs last week.
Marcell Coetzee, Franco van der Merwe and Kyle Cooper all return from playing off the bench, while Odwa Ndungane, Piet Lindeque, Jean Deysel, Derick Minnie, Anton Bresler and Craig Burden all miss out.
Van Rensburg, who recently confirmed his signing with French club Bayonne, was summoned to the squad for the four-match trip to New Zealand and Australia after an injury to star forward Tendai Mtawarira.
“We took a step up in the try-scoring department against the Chiefs when we scored four tries against the current champions. We're hoping we can continue that this week against the Highlanders, “ Plumtree said of their 37-29 loss in Hamilton.
“The Highlanders had a bye on the weekend and an opportunity to refresh so they'll be tough.
“They have players out injured so they've had some problems but we know how tough they're going to be.
“They will become spoilers in this competition, knock sides out and we will have to make sure we play really well.
Plumtree said defence would play an important role as the Highlanders had some great attacking players, and his side would need to step up in that department.
The Sharks team: Riaan Viljoen, JP Pietersen, Francois Steyn, Meyer Bosman, Lwazi Mvovo, Patrick Lambie, Charl McLeod, Lubabalo Mtembu, Marcell Coetzee, Keegan Daniel, Franco van der Merwe, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Jannie du Plessis, Kyle Cooper, Wiehahn Herbst. Replacements: Craig Burden, JC Janse van Rensburg, Anton Bresler, Jean Deysel, Tian Meyer, Piet Lindeque, Odwa Ndungane/Derick Minnie. – Sapa