Defending champions the Lions have made only one change to their run-on XV for their second match of the Currie Cup season this weekend.

The Lions, who defeated the Free State Cheetahs 43-20 in their campaign opener last week, face Super Rugby finalists the Sharks in Durban on Saturday.

Warren Whiteley replaces injured eighthman Derick Minnie, with Jaco Kriel starting off the bench in place of Whiteley.

Minnie, who was sidelined during the victory over the Cheetahs, will be out of action for about six weeks with a knee injury.

Lions team: Andries Coetzee, JR Esterhuizen, Lionel Mapoe, Waylon Murray, Anthony Volmink, Butch James, Michael Bondesio, Warren Whiteley, Joshua Strauss, Cobus Grobbelaar, Franco van der Merwe, Hendrik Roodt, Jacobie Adriaanse, Callie Visagie, JC Janse van Rensburg (captain).

Replacements: Francois du Toit, CJ van der Linde, Willie Britz, Jaco Kriel, Ross Cronje, Guy Cronje, Ruan Combrinck.