Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph has made three changes to his team to face the Sharks at Growthpoint KINGS PARK Kings Park in Durban on Saturday.
Joseph has made just two personnel and one positional change to team which beat the Bulls a fortnight ago as they kick of their South African tour.
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Jarrad Hoeata return to the second row in the place of Brad Thorn, whose season is over due to a bicep injury.
Co-captain Nasi Manu returns to the back row after coming off the bench against the Bulls while Elliot Dixon shifts to the blindside flank. Gareth Evans drops to the bench.
The backline remains unchanged. Josh Bekhuis is added to the bench as second row cover.
Highlanders: x15 Ben Smith (Co-captain), 14 Richard Buckman, 13 Malakai Fekitoa, 12 Shaun Treeby, 11 Patrick Osborne, 10 Lima Sopoaga, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Nasi Manu (Co-captain), 7 Shane Christie, 6 Elliot Dixon, 5 Joe Wheeler, 4 Jarrad Hoeata, 3 Chris King, 2 Liam Coltman, 1 Kane Hames
Replacements: 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.
Date: Friday 25 April
Venue: Kings Park, Durban
Kick-Off: 19:10 SA Time (17:10 GMT, 05:10 Saturday NZ Time)
Referee: Jaco Peyper (South Africa)
Assistant Referees: Berry, Quinton Immelman (South Africa)
TMO: Shaun Veldsman (South Africa)