Jacques Botes set to make make it a hundred against the Stormers. Photo by Anesh Debiky /Gallo Images.

Pat Lambie has been named in a Sharks side that shows changes to last week’s team that beat the Cheetahs as they face the Stormers’ challenge at Mr Price KINGS PARK this Saturday.

Although he was originally named to play last week, Lambie was forced to stay in Durban for the trip to Bloemfontein last week with a bout of flu but has gotten over that and the knock he took against the Force the previous week.

He is not the only change, big Willem Alberts will start on the side of the scrum to add further muscle against the defensively-oriented Stormers who pride themselves on keeping their try-line safe.

Fred Michalak has retained his place in the flyhalf position after an excellent outing last week which means Lambie will slot in at fullback.

The final change to the starting line-up sees Meyer Bosman drafted in for Tim Whitehead who will be rested this weekend because of a tight groin complaint.

Pieter-Steph du Toit returns to the side in place of Jean Deysel and Louis Ludik is back after missing last week’s game with a severely bruised arm from a knock he took against the Force.

Finally, the occasion is made special by Jacques Botes’ opportunity to play in his 100th Super Rugby match for The Sharks. The hard-working flank will wear the Number 20 jersey.

With The Sharks having won their last three games well, and with the team close to full strength, there is talk that the team could be peaking at the right time. Coach John Plumtree admits that there is that talk, but that there is still plenty of rugby to be played and that they will focus on each game as it comes without looking too far ahead of themselves.

“At the end of the day, each challenge is different, we have to make sure we remain focused on each week. Our preparation has been good so far this week and we’re just looking forward to this one on the weekend.”

The Sharks teams is as follows:

1. Tendai Mtawarira, 2. Bismarck du Plessis, 3. Jannie du Plessis, 4. Steven Sykes, 5. Anton Bresler, 6. Marcell Coetzee, 7. Willem Alberts, 8. Keegan Daniel (Captain), 9. Charl McLeod, 10. Frederic Michalak, 11. Lwazi Mvovo, 12. Meyer Bosman, 13. Paul Jordaan, 14. JP Pietersen, 15. Patrick Lambie.

Replacements:
16. Craig Burden, 17. Wiehahn Herbst, 18. Pieter-Steph du Toit, 19. Ryan Kankowski, 20. Jacques Botes, 21. Odwa Ndungane, 22. Louis Ludik.

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