The return of captain Phepsi Buthelezi is the only change to the Sharks starting lineup for Wednesday’s game against the British & Irish Lions at Ellis Park.

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Coach Sean Everitt has named a relatively unchanged side, welcoming back the skipper to the run-on XV after missing last week’s Currie Cup against Western Province with a mild concussion.

There are to swaps on the bench, where hooker Kerron van Vuuren and utility back Anthony Volmink replace Dan Jooste and Boeta Chamberlain, respectively.

“We have only played two games in the Currie Cup, but our group has been together for some time and they’re looking forward to the challenge,” Everitt said of the clash with the Lions.

“The chief goal is that we go into this game well prepared and for the players to understand what’s coming their way. Not many of our players in the [Currie Cup] squad have international experience and that includes Super Rugby, so yes, this is a big challenge.

“We have to get the fundamentals right otherwise we will be punished on the day.”

Sharks (for B&I Lions) – 15 Manie Libbok, 14 Werner Kok, 13 Jeremy Ward, 12 Marius Louw, 11 Thaakir Abrahams, 10 Curwin Bosch, 9 Jaden Hendrikse, 8 Phepsi Buthelezi (c), 7 Thembelani Bholi, 6 James Venter, 5 Hyron Andrews, 4 Ruben van Heerden, 3 Khutha Mchunu, 2 Fez Mbatha, 1 Khwezi Mona.
Subs: 16 Kerron van Vuuren, 17 Ntuthuko Mchunu, 18 Wiehahn Herbst, 19 JJ van der Mescht, 20 Reniel Hugo, 21 Dylan Richardson, 22 Grant Williams, 23 Anthony Volmink.

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Photo: Gerhard Duraan/BackpagePix