Sharks without Deysel again
Deysel is sidelined due to a tricep muscle strain which he copped against the EP Kings last week.
The Springbok flank has hardly played any rugby this season after he had ankle surgery in March ruling him out for six weeks.
His comeback from ankle surgery was short-lived after he kneed Crusaders loose forward Matt Todd in the back of the head during his side's 10-52 loss to the Crusaders and was handed a seven week ban.
Francois Kleinhans comes in for the injured Deysel.
In other changes veteran Springbok scrumhalf Michael Claassens get his first start of the campaign replacing Stefan Ungerer who drops to the bench.
Paul Jordaan and Andre Esterhuizen form a youthful, but exciting new centre partnership, while Sibusiso Sithole is welcomed back into the fray, slotting in on the wing.
Up front, Dale Chadwick returns from injury, replacing Juan Schoeman in the final change with Lourens Adriaanse, Khaya Majola and Kyle Cooper not considered due to injury.
Unbeaten, with maximum log points and riding a wave of confidence and continuity, the Lions make a strong argument as possibly title contenders, something not lost on Sharks head coach Gary Gold who warns that his charges will have it tough this weekend.
"Attacking rugby is the Lions' DNA and we have to improve our defence," Gold admits.
"The talk this week has been about an immense improvement for this weekend against the Lions and we know we are going to have to pitch up physically against the Lions."
"A really good performance and hopefully a victory would definitely give us a lot of confidence going forward.
"It will give us some confidence to know we can compete with what I believe are the bookies’ favourites in this competition – and quite rightly should be. They had a fantastic Super Rugby competition, they’re a very settled squad and they’re playing great rugby."
Sharks: 15 Joe Pietersen, 14 Odwa Ndungane, 13 Paul Jordaan , 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Sibusiso Sithole, 10 Lionel Cronje, 9 Michael Claassens, 8 Philip van der Walt, 7 Daniel du Preez, 6 Francois Kleinhans, 5 Marco Wentzel (captain), 4 Etienne Oosthuizen, 3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Monde Hadebe, 1 Dale Chadwick.
Replacements: 16 Franco Marais, 17 Gerhard Engelbrecht, 18 David McDuling, 19 Jean-Luc du Preez, 20 Stefan Ungerer, 21 Wandile Mjekevu, 22 SP Marais.
Date: Saturday, August 22
Venue: Kings Park Stadium, Durban
Kick-off: 17.05 (15.05 GMT)
Referee: Quinton Immelman
Assistant referees: Lourens van der Merwe, Jaco Kotze
TMO: Marius Jonker
