The Brumbies suffered a cruel blow when inspirational centre Stirling Mortlock was ruled out of their Super 14 showdown with the Sharks in Durban on Saturday.

Mortlock failed a fitness test after suffering a leg knock in last weekend's 17-25 loss to the Lions in Johannesburg.

Brumbies coach Andy Friend has opted to start Gene Fairbanks at inside centre, with Tyrone Smith replacing Mortlock at outside centre.

Brumbies - revised: 15 Mark Gerrard, 14 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 13 Tyrone Smith, 12 Gene Fairbanks, 11 Clyde Rathbone, 10 Christian Lealiifano, 9 Joshua Holmes, 8 Julian Salvi, 7  George Smith (captain), 6 Mitchell Chapman, 5 Mark Chisholm, 4 Ben Hand, 3 Guy Shepherdson, 2 Stephen Moore, 1 Ben Alexander.
Replacements: 16 Huia Edmonds, 17 Salesi Ma'afu, 18 Shawn Mackay, 19 Peter Kimlin, 20 Patrick Phibbs, 21 Alfi Mafi, 22 Matt Toomua.

Date: Saturday, March 28
Venue: Absa Stadium, Durban
Kick-off: 17.00 (15.00 GMT)
Referee: Bryce Lawrence (New Zealand)
Touch judges: Marius Jonker (South Africa), Garratt Williamson (New Zealand)
TMO: Shaun Veldsman (South Africa)

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