Sharks rush a King in for Lions
The Sharks' latest recruit, Southern Kings import SP Marais, has been rushed into the starting XV that will face the Golden Lions in a Currie Cup Round Two match in Durban on Friday.
Marais's inclusion for his Sharks debut is one of two changes to the team that lost (30-32) in the opening match to Griquas last week.
Recruited on the back of his successful Super Rugby campaign as a fullback, Marais will play on the right wing in place of Sizo Maseko, who has been ruled out with hamstring strain.
The other change sees Heimar Williams come in at inside centre – for his Sharks Currie Cup debut – in place of the injured Tim Whitehead, who failed to recover from the rib and ankle knocks he picked up against Griquas last Friday.
Jacques Botes retains the No.8 jersey and the captaincy, with Keegan Daniel not yet recovered from the knee injury that saw him withdraw from last week's game.
Sharks: 15 Odwa Ndungane, 14 SP Marais, 13 Louis Ludik, 12 Heimar Williams, 11 Lwazi Mvovo, 10 Butch James, 9 Charl McLeod, 8 Jacques Botes (captain), 7 Jean Deysel, 6 Brynard Stander, 5 Marco Wentzel, 4 Edwin Hewitt, 3 Wiehahn Herbst, 2 Kyle Cooper, 1 Dale Chadwick.
Replacements: 16 Craig Burden, 17 Rayno Gerber, 18 Peet Marais, 19 Tera Mtembu, 20 Cobus Reinach, 21 Fred Zeilinga, 22 Jaco van Tonder.
Date: Friday, August 16
Venue: Kings Park, Durban
Kick-off: 17.05 (15.05 GMT)
Referee: Ben Crouse
Assistant referees: Stuart Berry, Reuben Rossouw
TMO: Deon van Blommestein