Former Montpellier and Griquas prop Eugene van Staden will start his first Super Rugby game for the Sharks at tighthead prop in what is a surprise selection for this Saturday’s all-important encounter against the Lions in Durban.

Van Staden joined the Sharks prior to last year’s Currie Cup and has impressed with his mobility in open play and sound technique at set-pieces.

An injury ruled him out of the Sharks’ Australasian tour but he has impressed in four games playing off the bench thus far this season.

Van Staden now gets his opportunity to start, replacing Jannie du Plessis in the No 3 jersey, while captain John Smit takes the spot of “Beast” Mtawarira at loosehead prop.

Both Du Plessis and Mtawarira make for a formidable duo coming off the bench.

In other changes to the match-day 22 from last weekend, lock Gerhard Mostert replaces the injured Alistair Hargreaves — who is out for three weeks with a shoulder injury — and Ross Skeate comes onto the bench.

After three defeats in a row, this is a must-win match for the Sharks at home.

The Sharks: John Smit (captain), Bismarck du Plessis, Eugene van Staden, Steven Sykes, Gerhard Mostert, Keegan Daniel, Willem Alberts, Ryan Kankowski, Charl McLeod, Jacques-Louis Potgieter, JP Pietersen, Meyer Bosman, Stefan Terblanche, Odwa Ndungane, Louis Ludik. Replacements: Tendai Mtawarira, Jannie du Plessis, Ross Skeate, Jacques Botes, Conrad Hoffmann, Adrian Jacobs, Lwazi Mvovo