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Vodacom Super 14: Sharks vs Lions - Saturday 15 March 2008, 5pm - Ellis Park, Johannesburg
Two vital members of the Sharks' squad return from injury to make their way into the match 22 for the Sharks Round 5 Vodacom Super 14 match against the Lions this Saturday in Johannesburg (5pm kick-off).
As evidenced in team selection and as coach Dick Muir alluded to on Tuesday after training, there have not been major changes to the Sharks team that beat the Blues last Saturday at The Absa Stadium Durban in an effort to maintain continuity, but still give everyone game time.
Frederic Michalak has been given a bit of a breather after putting his body on the line against the Blues, but he has been named to play off the bench. With the opening up of the flyhalf berth, Frans Steyn moves to 10 from fullback and the steadying influence of Stefan Terblanche (who plays in his 70th Super match for the Sharks) replaces him in the number 15 jersey. Odwa Ndungane, a reserve last week, takes over Terblanche's vacated wing position.
Upfront, "Beast" Mtawarira gets a start alongside Bismarck du Plessis and BJ Botha with the second row and loose forward trio remaining intact.
Jannie du Plessis will play off the bench, and AJ Venter makes a return after injuring his leg, together with Ruan Pienaar after a collarbone injury.
With play-makers like Craig Burden, the burly Jean Deysel, Pienaar, Michalak and Adi Jacobs all set to make an impact later in the game, this is a bench not to be sneezed at.
1. Tendai Mtawarira
2. Bismarck du Plessis
3. BJ Botha
4. Albert van den Berg
5. Johann Muller (Capt)
6. Keegan Daniel
7. Jacques Botes
8. Ryan Kankowski
9. Rory Kockott
10. Francois Steyn
11. JP Pietersen
12. Bradley Barritt
13. Waylon Murray
14. Odwa Ndungane
15. Stefan Terblanche
Replacements
16. Craig Burden
17. Jannie du Plessis
18. AJ Venter
19. Jean Deysel
20. Ruan Pienaar
21. Frederic Michalak
22. Adrian Jacobs