Johann Muller will lead the Sharks against the Lions © Getty Images

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Sharks coach John Plumtree has named a formidable side to face the British & Irish Lions at Kings Park on Wednesday. The Sharks are expected to be the toughest test faced by Ian McGeechan's side so far, and have been boosted by the release of prop Deon Carstens from the South Africa squad.

Carstens was released along with No.8 Ryan Kankowski and wing Odwa Ndungane, although the pair are carrying injures and were not considered for selection.

Johann Muller will lead the side from the second-row after he missed out on Springbok selection, partnering the exciting Steven Sykes. Carstens starts in the front-row alongside Skipper Badenhorst and Jannie du Plessis while the back-row of Jacques Botes, Jean Deysel and Keegan Daniel will test the Lions' stuttering prowess at the breakdown.

Rory Kockott starts at scrum-half after an impressive Super 14, with Ruan Pienaar's Springbok commitments allowing a start for Monty Dumond. Riaan Swanepoel and Andries Strauss are the centres while fullback Stefan Terblanche will face off against his old Ospreys colleagues Lee Byrne, Shane Williams, Adam Jones and Alun-Wyn Jones.

Sharks: Stefan Terblanche; Chris Jordaan, Andries Strauss, Riaan Swanepoel, Luzuko Vulindlu; Monty Dumond, Rory Kockott; Deon Carstens, Skipper Badenhorst, Jannie du Plessis, Steven Sykes, Johann Muller (capt), Jacques Botes, Jean Deysel, Keegan Daniel

Replacements: Craig Burden, Patric Cilliers, Albert van den Berg, Michael Rhodes, Charl McLeod, Guy Cronje, Lwazi Mvovo