Paul Jordaan will start at outside centre for the Sharks against the Highlanders on Friday night.
Jordaan has been sidelined for over a month with a knee injury, but will slot back in at 13 in one of two backline changes. S'bura Sithole, who has impressed in Jordaan's absence, will shift to the wing in place of the injured Tonderai Chavanga, who misses out due to a hamstring tweak. JP Pietersen has recovered in time to take his place on the other wing.
The rest of the team remains unchanged, with Tim Swiel continuing to start at flyhalf following a promising showing last week against the Cheetahs.
Keegan Daniel will make his 100th appearance for the Sharks in what will be their last home game before their overseas tour.
Meanwhile, the Highlanders have made just two personnel and one positional change for the match.
The bicep injury which has ended Brad Thorn's Super Rugby season sees Jarrad Hoeata return to the second row alongside Joe Wheeler, while co-captain Nasi Manu returns to the starting line-up after coming off the bench against the Bulls. Elliot Dixon, who has performed well for the Highlanders this year, moves to the blindside flank with Gareth Evans a little unlucky to be shunted to the bench.
Sharks – 15 Lwazi Mvovo, 14 JP Pietersen, 13 Paul Jordaan, 12 Frans Steyn, 11 S’bura Sithole, 10 Tim Swiel, 9 Charl McLeod, 8 Keegan Daniel, 7 Jean Deysel, 6 Marcell Coetzee, 5 Stephan Lewies, 4 Willem Alberts, 3 Jannie du Plessis, 2 Bismarck du Plessis (c), 1 Tendai Mtawarira.
Subs: 16 Kyle Cooper, 17 Dale Chadwick, 18 Lourens Adriaanse, 19 Etienne Oosthuizen, 20 Ryan Kankowski, 21 Stefan Ungerer, 22 Heimar Williams, 23 SP Marais.
Highlanders – 15 Ben Smith (c), 14 Richard Buckman, 13 Malakai Fekitoa, 12 Shaun Treeby, 11 Patrick Osborne, 10 Lima Sopoaga, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Nasi Manu (c), 7 Shane Christie, 6 Elliot Dixon, 5 Joe Wheeler, 4 Jarrad Hoeata, 3 Chris King, 2 Liam Coltman, 1 Kane Hames.
Subs: 16 Ged Robinson, 17 Craig Millar, 18 Ma'afu Fia, 19 Josh Bekhuis, 20 Gareth Evans, 21 Fumiaki Tanaka, 22 Trent Renata, 23 John Hardie.
Photo: Steve Haag/Gallo Images
