Sharks ease Lambie back

Lambie has recovered from a serious shoulder injury and will add much-need experience to the home side's matchday squad.

Changes to the Sharks starting XV from the one that lost to the Chiefs last weekend sees Tendai Mtawarira return to captain the side with Dale Chadwick dropping to the bench. The other change to the front row sees Franco Marais return at hooker in place of Kyle Cooper.

A bonus-point win for the Sharks will see them overtake the Lions at the top of the Africa Conference Two standings. However, after this weekend's match the Sharks would have played one more game than their Johannesburg rivals.

Sharks: 15 Willie le Roux, 14 JP Pietersen, 13 Paul Jordaan, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Lwazi Mvovo, 10 Garth April, 9 Michael Claasens, 8. Daniel du Preez, 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 Dale Chadwick, 18 Thomas du Toit, 19 Hyron Andrews, 20 Jean Deysel, 21 Stefan Ungerer, 22 Patrick Lambie, 23 Odwa Ndungane.

Date: Saturday, May 7

Venue: Kings Park, Durban

Kick-off: 15.00 (13.00 GMT; 01.00, Sunday May 8, NZ time) 

Referee: Marius van der Westhuizen (South Africa)

Assistant referees: Quinton Immelman (South Africa), Rodney Bonaparte (South Africa)

TMO: Marius Jonker (South Africa)