Having started with a narrow victory over the Royal XV on May 30 and followed up with contrasting wins over the Golden Lions and the Cheetahs, Ian McGeechan's tourists now travel to Durban to take on the might of the Sharks.

Traditionally one of South Africa's strongest provincial outfits, the 2009 Sharks will be determined to offer the Lions a stern challenge at the ABSA Stadium.

They may be missing the likes of Springbok skipper John Smit and international team-mates Adi Jacobs, Ryan Kankowski, Tendai Mtawarira, Odwa Ndungane, Ruan Pienaar, JP Pietersen, Bismarck du Plessis and Francois Steyn but the Sharks will not be short of firepower.

Goal-kicking scrum-half Rory Kockott is sure to be a threat, as will centres Riaan Swanepoel and Andries Strauss.

There is no doubt that the side that will face the Lions on Wednesday evening is very different to the one that appeared in this year's Super 14 but, despite a lengthy list of absentees, the Sharks themselves are greatly looking forward to the challenge of facing Britain and Ireland's elite.

Captain Johann Muller has described the occasion as a 'once-in-a-lifetime' fixture, while assistant coach Grant Bashford has called Wednesday's contest 'an awesome opportunity'.

The experienced Muller will continue to lead the side from the second row having been chosen ahead of Smit for the Sharks captaincy this season after the Bok skipper returned from his spell with Clermont Auvergne. Muller, who has won 22 caps for his country, has been part of a World Cup winning squad and appeared in Super 14 and Currie Cup Finals yet he remains hugely enthusiastic about the prospect of facing the Lions.

That exuberance is likely to rub off on a number of the Sharks' up-and-coming players who will be hoping to use the mid-week clash with the Lions to press their claims for inclusion in the forthcoming Currie Cup squad.

As current holders of South Africa's premier domestic prize, competition for places at the Sharks is growing increasingly intense and the omission of nine Springboks will only add to the excitement surrounding selection for the next generation of stars.

Utility back Guy Cronje is one such youngster hoping to make an impression if called upon from the replacements bench, while Chris Jordaan is another up-and-coming player hoping to make the most of his opportunity after being selected on the right wing.

While youth will be given a chance to impress at ABSA stadium, there will be no shortage of experience on show either.

Second row Albert van den Berg takes a place on the bench behind Muller and Steven Sykes, while Stefan Terblanche will direct operations from full back.

Van den Berg is the second-most capped player in the Sharks full squad, with only Smit having worn national colours on more occasions. The former Cats lock has 51 international appearances to his name and has appeared in two World Cups - in 1999 and 2007.

Terblanche is well known to many of the current Lions squad after spending four years with the Ospreys between 2003 and 2007. The 33-year-old has first-hand knowledge of two of the Lions' back three, having played alongside both Lee Byrne and Shane Williams during his time in South Wales.

The former Bok full back has been in superb form since returning home and was considered unfortunate to miss out on a place in Peter de Villiers' summer squad following injury to Conrad Jantjes. Terblanche has scored 95 points for his country across 37 appearances, claiming four tries on his Test debut against Ireland in 1998 and a further five against Italy a year later and the Lions will consider him a serious threat despite his omission from the South African squad for the three-match Test series.

Loose-head prop Deon Carstens is the first player to be released from the Bok squad to face the Lions after it previously appeared that de Villiers would keep each and every member of his 28-man party under wraps until the first international on June 20.

De Villiers also agreed to release Kankowski and Ndungane but minor injuries will prevent them from taking part on Wednesday.

Carstens is joined in the Sharks front row by World Cup winner Jannie du Plessis, the brother of Bok hooker Bismarck, while a total of five members of the matchday 22 have been selected for the Emerging Springboks and could therefore face the Lions once more on June 23.

Flankers Jacques Botes and Jean Deysel, reserve prop Patric Cilliers, lock Sykes and wing Luzuko Vulindlu have all been recognised as potential future Springboks and will no doubt be among the dangermen for the Lions' toughest test yet.

Vast knowledge of the British and Irish game could also see Sharks head coach John Plumtree become one of the most influential men involved on Wednesday as he looks to cement his place in Sharks history. The former Swansea coach knows how the domestic game works having led the Welsh side to a success in the early part of this decade and he would now love nothing more than to taste glory against the best the Home Unions have to offer.

As for the Lions, head coach McGeechan has made 11 changes from the team that clung on to defeat the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein, with skipper Paul O'Connell, Luke Fitzgerald, Byrne and Williams the men asked to start two games in five days.

Alun-Wyn Jones starts alongside O'Connell in the second row, while Tom Croft, David Wallace and Jamie Heaslip are named in the back row after impressing as a unit in the 70-point thrashing of the Golden Lions last week.

Welshmen Gethin Jenkins and Lee Mears prop down alongside England hooker Lee Mears, with McGeechan naming Matthew Rees and Phil Vickery as front row cover.

Ronan O'Gara gets his second start of the tour at outside-half, this time alongside Mike Phillips who impressed during the heavy win in Johannesburg.

Jamie Roberts and Brian O'Driscoll are given the chance to cement what appeared to be a formidable looking centre partnership, while Fitzgerald joins Byrne and Williams in the back three having started Saturday's contest in the No12 shirt.

The nature of Saturday's win over the Cheetahs may not have been entirely satisfying as far as the Lions were concerned, but they still have their 100-per-cent record very much intact. Momentum could be absolutely vital in the build up to the first Test at the same ABSA Stadium in less than a fortnight's time so, while an improved performance is highly sought after, another win is clearly imperative.

Despite having had their name engraved on the Currie Cup a record 32 times, the Sharks have never beaten the Lions in any form and McGeechan and his fellow coaches will be hoping that the class of 2009 do not experience a unwelcome first this time around.

Did you know?

The Lions have played the Sharks, or Natal as they were previously known, on 10 occasions, with their biggest winning margin, highest score and most points by an individual all coming in their most recent meeting.

The Lions were 42-12 winners 12 years ago with Neil Jenkins registering 24 points as the tourists continued to build towards a remarkable series win over the Springboks.

What the Lions say:

Lions head coach Ian McGeechan

"I'm delighted that, as we head into the fourth match, we only have one player (Martyn Williams - left shoulder) who is unavailable for selection. The players and the medical staff have managed the injuries that have been sustained in a very professional manner.

"This is crucial as we enter matches against two of South Africa's strongest provinces in the Sharks and Western Province in the space of four days. The next two matches are obviously critical in the development of the Test side."

What the Sharks say:

Sharks captain Johann Muller

"It's a once in a lifetime opportunity. This is an extremely special occasion, to get the opportunity to play against the Lions is just fantastic.

"I've been to the World Cup, played for the Boks, been in a Super 14 and Currie Cup final, but this is right up there. To play such a side is something very special."

Sharks assistant coach Grant Bashford

"For us it's a wonderful opportunity, and we want to get out there and play. We don't want to be conservative because most of us won't ever get the opportunity to be involved against the Lions again so it's just important for us to go out there and play well, that's the goal.

"Regardless of score-lines, we're going to go out there and have a go, play some entertaining and enterprising rugby and see what depth we have in the province."