Injured Wallabies captain Stirling Mortlock has been named in the Brumbies side to take on Super 14 high-flyers the Sharks in Durban on Saturday (0200 Sunday AEDT).

Mortlock suffered a bad cork in an ugly collision during last weekend's 25-17 loss to the Lions.

The inspirational centre will be given until match day to prove his fitness and coach Andy Friend has named an eight-man bench with returning backs Gene Fairbanks and Alfi Mafi among his options if Mortlock is ruled out.

Friend has made two changes to his starting side, with winger Clyde Rathbone promoted from the bench to run on against his former side and flanker Mitchell Chapman to make his first appearance of 2009 after off-season shoulder surgery.

Rathbone made his Super rugby debut for the Sharks at Absa Stadium in 2002 and played three matches for them before linking with the Brumbies in 2003.

Chapman replaces Peter Kimlin, who drops back to the bench, while No.8 Julian Salvi has been named after he also suffered a cork in Johannesburg.

"Mitch has been around Super 14 rugby for a long time and we don't expect him to have any trouble in slotting straight into the starting line-up," Friend said of Chapman.

"Like Pete (Kimlin), he gives a genuine option in the lineout and helps give some bulk to the pack against what is a very tough and physical Sharks side."

Former Wallabies tourist Fairbanks (neck) and ex-NSW winger Mafi (ankle) are set to make returns from long-term injuries.

"Gene is a senior member of the side and is a player who will give plenty of direction when he's on the field," Friend said.

"(Alfi's) worked his backside off to return from injury and he's champing at the bit to get his first opportunity of the season."

Friend said his side would need to improve markedly if they were to upset the second-placed Durban side.

"We created plenty of opportunities against the Lions, our problem was in our execution and converting those opportunities into points," he said.

"We appreciate that we can't make that mistake against the Sharks. They're a class outfit from one through to 22 and they're a side who have built a great deal of success on ensuring they do the simple things very well.

"They'll be fired up after a successful trip through Australia and South Africa and they'll be looking forward to impressing their home fans in their first match back on Saturday."

Brumbies: Mark Gerrard, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Stirling Mortlock, Tyrone Smith, Clyde Rathbone, Christian Lealiifano, Joshua Holmes, Julian Salvi, George Smith (capt), Mitchell Chapman, Mark Chisholm, Ben Hand, Guy Shepherdson, Stephen Moore, Ben Alexander. Res: Huia Edmonds, Salesi Ma'afu, Shawn Mackay, Peter Kimlin, Patrick Phibbs, Gene Fairbanks, Alfi Mafi, Matt Toomua (one to be omitted).

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