Triple blow for Sharks
Captain Patrick Lambie has still not recovered from the concussion he suffered in a sickening clash with Ireland flank Christiaan Stander in the first Test in Cape Town on June 11.
There is still no timeframe for his return and he will be re-tested next week.
Fellow Springbok Willie le Roux is serving a one-match ban for foul play – taking an opponent out in the air – in the third Test in Port Elizabeth and he is struggling with an AC joint injury. No timeframe has been set for his return either.
Veteran Joe Pietersen is also sidelined for about six weeks with a shoulder fracture, suffered in the world club 10-a-side tournament in June.
It leaves the Sharks' fullback and flyhalf stocks rather thin.
As a result Springbok veteran Odwa Ndungane will start in the No.15 and Bok training squad member Garth April will be at flyhalf.
Ndungane is the most senior member of the starting XV at 35 years of age and with a current tally of 132 Super Rugby caps, one less than the Sharks' most capped player, JP Pietersen.
The last six games between these two sides have seen both teams pick up three victories apiece.
If he comes off the bench, Rhyno Smith will make his Super Rugby debut.
Sharks: 15 Odwa Ndungane, 14 Jon-Paul Pietersen, 13 Paul Jordaan, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Lwazi Mvovo, 10 Garth April, 9 Michael Claassens, 8 Philip van der Walt, 7 Jean-Luc du Preez, 6 Keegan Daniel, 5 Stephan Lewies, 4 Etienne Oosthuizen, 3 Lourens Adriaanse, 2 Franco Marais, 1 Tendai Mtawarira (captain).
Replacements: 16 Chiliboy Ralepelle, 17 Thomas du Toit, 18 Coenie Oosthuizen, 19 Ruan Botha, 20 Lubabalo Mtembu, 21 Stefan Ungerer, 22 Rhyno Smith, 23 Sibusiso Sithole.
Date: Saturday, July 2
Venue: Ellis Park, Johannesburg
Kick-off: 17.10 (15.10 GMT)
Referee: Jaco Peyper
Assistant referees: Quinton Immelman, Pro Legoete
TMO: Johan Greeff
