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21:00

Botes cracks the nod for Sharks

By Online Editors
Wednesday 21 May 2014

Sharks boss Jake White has made just one enforced change to his team for their final Australasian tour match, against the Blues in Albany on Friday.

The three-week ban slapped on flank Jean Deysel, for stomping on an opponent in the heroic 30-25 win over the Crusaders last week, means some changes among the loose forwards.

Jacques Botes gets his first start of the season in the No.6 jersey, with Lubabalo Mtembu moving to No.7 flank to fill the void left by Deysel's ban.

The rest of the team remains unchanged for this crucial game against the Blues.

The Sharks have something of a psychological hold over the Blues, enjoying a run of eight wins that extends back to their last loss against the Auckland side in 2005.

Sharks: 15 SP Marais, 14 JP Pietersen, 13 Sibusiso Sithole, 12 Paul Jordaan, 11 Lwazi Mvovo, 10 Francois Steyn, 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Willem Alberts, 7 Lubabalo Mtembu, 6 Jacques Botes, 5 Stephan Lewies, 4 Etienne Oosthuizen, 3 Jannie du Plessis, 2 Bismarck du Plessis (captain), 1 Tendai Mtawarira.

Replacements: 16 Kyle Cooper, 17 Dale Chadwick, 18 Lourens Adriaanse, 19 Ryan Kankowski, 20 Keegan Daniel, 21 Charl McLeod, 22 Tim Swiel, 23 Heimar Williams.

Date: Friday, May 23

Venue: North Harbour Stadium, Albany

Kick-off: 19.35 (07.35 GMT; 09.35 SA time)

Referee: Nick Briant (New Zealand)

Assistant referees: Mike Fraser (New Zealand), Aki Aso (Japan)

TMO: Aaron Peterson (New Zealand)

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