Butch returns to Ellis Park
Springbok and former Lions flyhalf Andrew 'Butch' James gets his first start for the Sharks when they take the Golden Lions on in the Lions Challenge on Friday.
James returns for a lengthy lay-off after picking up an injury last year and finally returns to the side where he started his career.
Dale Chadwick also returns to action after overcoming a severe ankle injury, he will partner Kyle Cooper and Wiehahn Herbst in a fairly young front row missing the likes of Jannie and Bismarck du Plessis and Beast Mtawarira to the Springboks.
The Sharks have brought in Griquas lock Edwin Hewitt to shore up a shortfall in the lock department where he will partner with Jandre Marais in the second row.
The familiar faces of captain Keegan Daniel, Jean Deysel and Lubabalo Mtembu form the loose forward trio with scrumhalf Charl McLeod partnering James behind the scrum.
The backline is a mix of youth and experience, Sean Robinson and Odwa Ndungane on the wings, Heimar Williams getting his first start for the Sharks where he will partner Louis Ludik (also back from injury) in the midfield and Riaan Viljoen providing the last line of defence at fullback.
The reserves bench sees Cobus Reinach named, another welcome returnee back from injury, with Fred Zeilinger and Tyler Fisher providing backline support and Monde Hadebe, Allan Dell, Brynard Stander and Khaya Majola making up the rest of the substitutes.
The Sharks: 15 Riaan Viljoen, 14 Odwa Ndungane, 13 Louis Ludik, 12 Heimar Williams, 11 Sean Robinson, 10 Andrew James, 9 Charl McLeod, 8 Lubabalo Mtembu, 7 Jean Deysel, 6 Keegan Daniel (Captain), 5 Jandre Marais, 4 Edwin Hewitt, 3 Wiehahn Herbst, 2 Kyle Cooper, 1 Dale Chadwick.
Replacements: 16 Monde Hadebe, 17 Allan Dell, 18 Brynard Stander, 19 Khaya Majola, 20 Cobus Reinach, 21 Fred Zeilinger, 22 Tyler Fisher.
Date: Friday, 21 June
Venue: Ellis Park, Johannesburg
Kick-off: 19.00 (17.00 GMT)
Referee: Ben Crouse
Assistant referees: Tiaan Jonker, Sieg van Staden
