
Lewies lines up alongside Etienne Oosthuizen in the locks while Philip van der Walt skippers in a back-row that includes the Du Preez brothers.
In a surprise, Curwin Bosch is benched as Lwazi Mvovo takes over at full-back with Garth April continuing in the number 10 shirt for this match.
“This is a big game for us, which will lay the platform and give us the momentum we need heading to the play-offs. We need to execute efficiently and give a better account of ourselves in this game,” said head coach Robert du Preez.
“It’s going to be a huge battle up front and judging by our earlier encounter, it is going to come down to discipline and determination.”
Sharks: 15 Lwazi Mvovo, 14 Kobus van Wyk, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 S’busiso Nkosi, 10 Garth April, 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Daniel du Preez, 7 Jean-Luc du Preez, 6 Philip van der Walt (c), 5 Stephan Lewies, 4 Etienne Oosthuizen, 3 Coenie Oosthuizen, 2 Chiliboy Ralepelle, 1 Thomas du Toit
Replacements: 16 Stephan Coetzee, 17 Juan Schoeman, 18 Lourens Adriaanse, 19 Jean Droste, 20 Tera Mtembu, 21 Michael Claassens, 22 Curwin Bosch, 23 Jeremy Ward
Date: Saturday, July 15
Venue: Growthpoint Kings Park, Durban
Kick-off: 17:15 local (15:15 GMT)
Referee: Marius van der Westhuizen
Assistant Referees: AJ Jacobs, Cwengile Jadezweni
TMO: Johan Greeff