First-year recruit Jono Lance has been asked to fill the biggest shoes in Australian Super Rugby and replace Israel Folau for the NSW Waratahs’ showdown with the table-topping Sharks.

Coach Michael Cheika on Tuesday named Lance – and not Kurtley Beale – as fullback in place of Folau, who was ruled out of the clash in Durban on Sunday morning (AEDT) with a bruised throat.

Used mostly in the centres for the Queensland Reds, Lance will debut for NSW in the No.15 jumper at the Shark Tank in one of six changes made by Cheika, who preferred not to break up Beale’s midfield combination with five-eighth Bernard Foley.

Folau has scored eight tries in just four games this season and needs just two more to equal Peter Hewat’s club record and seven more to match the all-time Super Rugby season record of 15.

But the dual international is in danger of missing both matches on the South African tour after a specialist on Monday ordered him to return later in the week.

Folau admits he remains doubtful for the round-seven clash with the Stormers in Cape Town, with the swelling in his throat not subsiding as quickly as first hoped.

He copped a stray elbow 20 minutes into the Waratahs’ victory over the Melbourne Rebels last Friday.

Former Wallabies centre Rob Horne has been selected on the wing, taking over from Alofa Alofa, with Cheika preferring size and power over fleet of foot for what shapes as a physical encounter with the Sharks.

Cheika has also made changes to his pack, with Benn Robinson back at loosehead prop in place of Paddy Ryan, while Wycliff Palu will make his 100th appearance for NSW when he runs on at No.8.

Both Robinson and Palu came off the bench against the Rebels.

Palu’s inclusion has forced skipper Dave Dennis back to blindside flanker, while Jacques Potgieter shifts from the back row to second row to partner Kane Douglas.

Big Will Skelton has been named on the bench.