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Sharks forced to change two

Flank Justin Downey and lock Stephan Lewies come into the Sharks starting line-up for their clash with the Golden Lions to replace Bok squad members Marcell Coetzee and Pieter-Steph du Toit.

Downey will make his first start for the Durban side since moving from Griquas at the start of the season and takes Coetzee's spot on the side of the scrum.

The Under-21 star,  Lewies, slots in at lock in place of Du Toit.

Both Coetzee and Du Toit played key roles when the coastal side thumped the Cheetahs 50-26 in their last game to move top of the table.

"Stephan has been doing very well," coach Brad Macleod-Henderson said on Wednesday.

"He's a nice tall young man who has played well for the under-21s, both this year and last, and he has been one of the stars in 2013, so it's fantastic for him to get the opportunity and show what he can do.

"He's more an out and out number five lock. He's quite athletic, has a nice frame on him so it will be great to see how he goes."

Sharks: 15 SP Marais, 14 Odwa Ndungane, 13 Tim Whitehead, 12 Heimar Williams, 11 Lwazi Mvovo, 10 Fred Zeilinga, 9 Charl McLeod, 8 Keegan Daniel (captain), 7 Tera Mtembu, 6 Justin Downey, 5 Stephan Lewies, 4 Peet Marais, 3 Wiehahn Herbst, 2 Kyle Cooper, 1 Dale Chadwick.

Replacements: 16 Monde Hadebe, 17 Danie Mienie, 18 Edwin Hewitt, 19 Brynard Stander, 20 Cobus Reinach, 21 Butch James, 22 Jaco van Tonder.

Date: Friday, September 27

Venue: Ellis Park, Johannesburg

Kick-off: 19.10 (17.10 GMT)

Referee: Jason Jaftha

Assistant referees: Jaco Kotze, Stefan Breytenbach

TMO: Johan Greeff

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