Jono Lance will make his first Super Rugby appearance for the Waratahs in Israel Folau's No.15 jumper © Getty Images

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Jono Lance will make his first Super Rugby appearance for New South Wales Waratahs against the Sharks in Durban on Saturday, deputising for Israel Folau as one of six changes in the starting line-up to face the ladder leaders.

Lance, the only player in the squad to have won a Super Rugby title, joined the Waratahs to play in the midfield but Cheika refuses to tamper with the growing twin-playmaker combination of Bernard Foley and Kurtley Beale at fly-half and inside centres. Lance gets his chance after Folau was ruled out with a bruised throat sustained against Melbourne Rebels,.

Also in the backs, Rob Horne has been selected to start for the first time this season in place of Alofa Alofa on the left wing.

In the forwards, Benn Robinson returns at loose-head prop in place of Paddy Ryan, while Wycliff Palu will play his 100th game for the Waratahs when he runs on at No.8. The pair both played off the bench against the Rebels last week.

Cheika, meanwhile, has moved Jacques Potgieter from flanker to lock, where he lines up alongside Kane Douglas with Will Skelton moving to the bench. Skipper Dave Dennis will start at blindside flanker, after wearing the No.8 jumper against the Rebels, with Michael Hooper retained at openside.

Cheika has made his selections up front in order to strengthen the pack for what he expects to be a ferocious assault from the Sharks after Jake White's side lost last week for the first time in Super Rugby this season.

"When we lost to the Brumbies we wanted to bite back, and they'll want to do the same," Cheika said. "It's up to us not to fold, and fight fire with fire. We won't be scared to do it."

Waratahs: Jono Lance; Rob Horne, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Kurtley Beale, Peter Betham; Bernard Foley, Nick Phipps; Wycliff Palu, Michael Hooper, Dave Dennis (captain); Kane Douglas, Jacques Potgieter; Sekope Kepu, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Benn Robinson. Replacements: TBA.