MacKay and Pelesasa return for Fava's milestone match

Vice captain Scott Fava will play his 60th game of Super Rugby when the Western Force take on the Cats in Johannesburg on Friday.

Returning to the 22 for the first time since Round One is flyhalf Lachlan MacKay, who suffered what was thought to be a season ending injury against the Brumbies.

Also back earlier than expected from injury is powerful centre Junior Pelesasa, who sustained a broken ankle against the Hurricanes in Round Two.

Former Queensland Red Brock James will start at flyhalf following the shoulder nerve injury suffered by Scott Daruda in last week’s draw against competition leaders, the Crusaders.

Fava made his Super 12 debut in 2000 for the Queensland Reds, and played the bulk of his games with the Brumbies before switching to the Western Force, which he has represented on eight occasions.

Western Force head coach John Mitchell said he was encouraged by the team’s performance against the Crusaders, but it was now a new week, and a new foe, which required a different approach.

“I don’t dwell on past performances. I’m just hopeful we can take the momentum from last week’s game into Friday night’s game,” he said.

Although the Cats are just above the Western Force on the Tooheys New Super 14 ladder, Mitchell said they were not to be taken lightly.

“They’re a good team, with quality players like Springboks Andre Pretorius, Wikus Van Heerden and Jaque Fourie. And playing at home will make them a pretty tough opponent,” he said.

Injuries: Brendan Cannon (underwent neck surgery on Tuesday – expected to be sidelined 6-8 weeks), David Pocock (ankle sprain), Gavin DeBartolo (ankle sprain), Richard Brown (ankle sprain), Rudi Vedelago (broken leg)

Rugby Super 14 - Round 12

Golden Cats vs Western Force
Ellis Park, Johannesburg
Friday Night, April 28
Kick-Off: 7:10pm (local/RSA time), Sat - 1:10am (WA)

Exclusively Live on Fox Sports from 1:00am on Saturday morning (WA time)