Daniel back to lead Sharks

The Sharks have been boosted by the return of captain Keegan Daniel for their clash with the Brumbies in Durban on Saturday.

Daniel returns to the side, having been out of action since the first warm-up match of the season against the Leopards, when he injured a knee ligament and Jacques Botes will provide cover from the bench after his cracked wrist was discovered to be a prior injury.

"Jacques Botes was initially diagnosed with a cracked wrist, but on later examination we discovered that he has had it for a long time, that it was a previous injury, it just shows that the older you get, the tougher you get," said Sharks coach John Plumtree. "It's not a new injury but he's alright and that's good news for the team."

Plumtree has made two changes in the backline, with scrumhalf Chral McLeod and experienced outside back Odwa Ndungane getting an opportunity ahead of Cobus Reinach and Lwazi Mvovo.

"Charl McLeod hasn't had an opportunity, he's been really looking forward to having one and I think it's a good time to re-introduce him. He'll be looking forward to a good game.

"It's the same with Odwa Ndungane, he hadn't started a game yet so we wanted to give him an opportunity at some point, it's a big game this week," said Plumtree.

Although this is the first time the Sharks show any changes in three weeks, Plumtree is still confident that the side is very settled and balanced.

"We've had some enforced changes and a couple of rotational changes amongst the backs, we have a good squad and both those backs deserve a start, it's up to them to take the opportunity," the coached concluded.

Sharks: 15 Louis Ludik, 14 Odwa Ndungane, 13 Paul Jordaan, 12 Francois Steyn, 11 JP Pietersen, 10 Patrick Lambie, 9 Charl McLeod, 8 Ryan Kankowski, 7 Keegan Daniel (captain), 6 Marcell Coetzee, 5 Franco van der Merwe, 4 Anton Bresler, 3 Jannie du Plessis, 2 Craig Burden, 1 Tendai Mtawarira.

Replacements: 16 Kyle Cooper, 17 Wiehahn Herbst, 18 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 19 Jacques Botes, 20 Cobus Reinach, 21 Meyer Bosman, 22 Lwazi Mvovo.

Date: Saturday, March 16

Venue: Kings Park, Durban

Kick-off: 17.05 (15.05 GMT)

Referee: Jonathan Kaplan (South Africa)

Assistant referees: Quinton Immelman (South Africa), Reuben Rossouw (South Africa)

TMO: Deon van Blommestein (South Africa)