Sharks drop Smit for Bulls showdown

Coastal Sharks have dropped South Africa 2011 Rugby World Cup captain John Smit and promoted former France fly-half Frederic Michalak for a crucial Super 15 clash at Northern Bulls on Saturday.

Hooker Smit is replaced by national team rival Bismarck du Plessis while Michalek takes over from Patrick Lambie, who moves to fullback in place of Louis Ludik.

Du Plessis came on for Smit early in the second half of a match against Golden Lions last weekend with the Sharks 21 points behind and inspired a comeback that salvaged a 30-30 draw in the southern hemisphere championship.

Michalak was also introduced in the second half after being an unused replacement the previous weekend in his first call-up since rejoining the Sharks from Toulouse three years after helping them win the Currie Cup.

Sharks coach John Plumtree has made three other changes with tighthead prop Jannie du Plessis, lock Alistair Hargreaves and flank Jean Deysel replacing Eugene van Staden, Steven Sykes and Jacques Botes.

Sharks, defending champions Bulls and New South Wales Waratahs are chasing the final two play-off places behind Queensland Reds, Western Stormers, Canterbury Crusaders and Auckland Blues.—AFP