Springbok back Patrick Lambie returns to the Sharks team for Friday’s Super Rugby match against the Blues at Eden Park.
The 21-year-old Lambie missed the last two matches due to a wisdom tooth problem.
However, fellow Springbok Bismarck du Plessis is out of the clash in Auckland and has returned home with an adductor strain picked up in training this week.
Lambie is back in the starting XV ahead of Frenchman Frederic Michalak in one of three changes to the team which lost to the Hurricanes last week in New Plymouth.
Bismarck's place among the reserves goes to Kyle Cooper.
Jean Deysel makes his first start of the season ahead of fellow Springbok Willem Alberts at flank and Anton Bresler come in for Jandre Marais.
