Sharks call on Marais
He replaces Monde Hadebe who drops down to the bench while Daniel du Preez comes onto the bench at the expense of Christiaan de Bruyn.
Coach Gary Gold said that his team will have to be on top of their game if they are to bounce back from defeat at home to Western Province to beat the unbeaten Lions away.
"The Lions are a fantastic side and have shown what they are capable off, and how devastating they can be against opposition teams.
"Our performance in this competition has not been good enough," said Gold.
The Sharks coach has refused to give up on his team's play-off hopes this season, and is adamant they have what it takes to upset the Lions on their home turf.
"We have a lot to prove and we are still in the fight. Nothing less than an 80-minute performance will do on Saturday," added the coach.
Sharks: 15 Odwa Ndungane, 14 Wandile Mjekevu, 13 Paul Jordaan, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Sibusiso Sithole, 10 Joe Pietersen, 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Philip van der Walt, 7 Jean-Luc du Preez, 6 Francois Kleinhans, 5 Marco Wentzel (captain), 4 Etienne Oosthuizen, 3 Gerhard Engelbrecht, 2 Franco Marais, 1 Thomas du Toit.
Replacements: 16 Monde Hadebe, 17 Dale Chadwick, 18 Dave McDuling, 19 Daniel du Preez, 20 Michael Claassens, 21 Heimar Williams, 22 Garth April.
Date: Saturday, September 19
Venue: Ellis Park, Johannesburg
Kick-off: 14.30 (12.30 GMT)
Referee: Jaco van Heerden
Assistant Referees: Francois Pretorius, Jaco Kotze
TMO: Willie Vos
