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Stephen Lewies will run out for his 50th Super Rugby cap for the Sharks when they host the Lions in Super Rugby in Durban on Saturday.
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