Sharks opt for French flair at No.10
The Sharks will welcome back a number of seasoned players for their Super Rugby encounter with the Brumbies on Saturday, but they have lost a key playmaker.
Springbok Pat Lambie has been ruled out with a dental injury, which will see French international Fred Michalak start at flyhalf.
It will be Michalak’s first start at No.10 this season – having started the first three games at scrumhalf and played the next two off the bench.
Sharks Coach John Plumtree was able to bring back some familiar faces into the matchday 22.
The loss of Lambie has been partially offset by the return from injury of JP Pietersen, who will again play at outside centre – with Tim Whitehead shifting back to inside centre, after playing in the unfamiliar role of No.13 in the loss to the Waratahs last week.
Steven Sykes has been passed fit to start on Saturday, after playing off the bench last week – following an injury picked up in the Reds’ match two weeks ago. Anton Bresler will play off the bench in a switch with Sykes in the only change to the pack.
Jean Deysel will look to make his first Super Rugby appearance of the year, after 75 minutes for the Sharks XV in their Vodacom Cup match against Free State last Friday. Deysel will play off the bench.
Craig Burden and Wiehahn Herbst offer front row back-up off the bench, with Jacques Botes the fifth forward named amongst the replacements. Meyer Bosman and Louis Ludik provide backline cover.
Sharks: 15 Riaan Viljoen, 14 Odwa Ndungane, 13 JP Pietersen, 12 Tim Whitehead, 11 Lwazi Mvovo, 10 Frederic Michalak, 9 Charl McLeod, 8 Keegan Daniel (captain), 7 Willem Alberts, 6 Marcell Coetzee, 5 Jandré Marais, 4 Steven Sykes, 3 Jannie du Plessis, 2 Bismarck du Plessis, 1 Dale Chadwick.
Replacements: 16 Craig Burden, 17 Wiehahn Herbst, 18 Anton Bresler, 19 Jean Deysel, 20 Jacques Botes, 21 Meyer Bosman, 22 Louis Ludik.
Date: Saturday, March 31
Venue: Canberra Stadium, Canberra
Kick-off: 19.40 (08.40 GMT)
Referee: Keith Brown (New Zealand)
Assistant referees: Angus Gardner (Australia), James Leckie (Australia)
TMO: Steve Lesczcynski (Australia)
