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The Sharks team will play in the Challenge Cup match against Lyon in France on Saturday without six South African national team players. However, assistant coach Warren Whiteley believes that the three-month pre-season has given the reserve squad a solid foundation for advancement.

Head coach J.P. Petersen formed a 28-man squad, excluding South African national team players Eben Etzebeth, Ethan Hooker, Andre Esterhuizen, Ox Nche, Edville van der Merwe, and Thomas du Toit. This created opportunities for other athletes to showcase themselves in European competitions.

Whiteley, a former South African national team captain, supports the idea that squad depth can handle the challenge. Players are returning from injuries, and new faces are joining. Notable inclusions include forward Stefan Lewis, who is returning to the Sharks for the second time, and former Stormers player Suleiman Hartzenberg. Jordan Hendrickse, Vincent Tsituka, Emil van Harden, and Jaco Williams have also returned to play.

The Sharks have adapted well in France ahead of the match. Whiteley reported a smooth trip and favorable weather conditions. 'The trip went very smoothly,' said Whiteley from Lyon. 'We arrived safely, and the guys spent most of their time recovering. Before the daytime training session, they did a good warm-up. The weather is quite hot, and the forecast until the game is very good, so we don't expect any problems in that regard.'

Lyon, currently in sixth place in the French Top 14 with three wins out of six matches, will provide a serious test. Whiteley expects a physically demanding confrontation against a powerful squad with a strong emphasis on set-piece execution. He noted: 'We are obviously very happy to return to European rugby in Europe. We know that Lyon also places great importance on the tournament, being a past winner.'

He continued, describing the opponent: 'They are a physical team with a powerful squad, and they pay close attention to their set-piece. They also have some dangerous backfielders, and they like to run the ball. It is also an artificial pitch, on 5G, which means fast-paced play. We are happy about this.'

However, for Whiteley, this trip is important not only in terms of overcoming the absence of South African national team players. It is a chance for Sharks' next-level players to demonstrate their worth on the European stage. 'I really want to see how some guys get the opportunity, how some guys raise their hands. It is truly exciting.'

Miguel Cardoso, coach of Mamelodi Sundowns, urged fans to trust his squad decisions as the team prepares for a demanding schedule of matches across various tournaments.

In the near future, the Brazilians will focus on the CAF Champions League, traveling to Angola to face league leaders Villete this coming weekend.

Considering the upcoming Carling Knockout tournament, where Sundowns will play Marumo Gallants after a draw in the Round of 16, Cardoso emphasized the importance of careful squad management while maintaining a high level of play.

The Portuguese manager admitted that rotation would be inevitable and asked fans to understand that his decisions are based on players' physical condition, readiness, and motivation.

Cardoso stated: 'I would like the Mamelodi Sundowns fans to also understand that they can support our technical decisions here and there. It will become clear that we are managing the group, but managing the group prioritizes those who show us they are in the best shape to play.'

He also noted the necessity of managing motivation, striving to keep the squad constantly on the edge of high motivation.

Cardoso also set the task for the players to remain ready for opportunities, citing defender Phavaaz Basadien as an example of the benefits of keeping the entire team match-fit.

Basadien demonstrated impressive play against Richards Bay after Divin Lunga and Aubrey Modiba played as left-backs in the MTN8 final.

'It is obvious that we know we have competition in positions, and there are players who can step up at any moment. Phavaaz played excellently on Tuesday, but in the final, it was (Divin) Lunga and Aubrey (Modiba) who played,' commented Cardoso.

He added: 'So, yes, the guys are answering the challenges we set for them. We tell them to trust that their moment will come.'

The Sundowns coach expressed satisfaction with Basadien's reaction when called up, noting that the defender understood the message from the technical staff conveyed to the team.

Nevertheless, the Sundowns coach made it clear that rotation does not mean lowering standards, especially given the serious challenge from Villete in the Champions League.

The Angolan club's position at the top of its national championship further emphasizes this confrontation, as Sundowns seeks to maintain its momentum on the continental stage.

After winning the MTN8, Cardoso also urged his players and fans to remain humble, as many difficulties lie ahead.

Sundowns' task is to find a balance between a demanding schedule, maintaining squad motivation, and ensuring that the pursuit of new trophies does not come at the expense of performance.

Brazil will once again have two full-time drivers in Formula 1 starting in 2027. Haas confirmed this Thursday, the 15th, the hiring of Rafael Câmara, a 21-year-old driver who currently leads Formula 2. Câmara will take over for Esteban Ocon, the French driver, and form a pair with Oliver Bearman, the British driver.

The agreement is for a long duration. Câmara, originally from Recife (PE), maintains his connection with the Ferrari Driver Academy since 2021. Haas uses engines from the Italian team, with which it has had a partnership since entering the category in 2016.

With the inclusion of Câmara at Haas and Gabriel Bortoleto at Audi, the country regains the presence of two full-time drivers on the grid simultaneously, a situation that had not occurred since the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in 2016. In that edition, Felipe Massa competed for Williams, while Felipe Nasr drove for Sauber.

Rafael Câmara will become the 34th Brazilian to participate in a Formula 1 race. The Pernambuco driver has a solid history in the junior categories, having been champion of the European Regional Formula in 2024 and Formula 3 in 2025, debuting in that competition. Currently, he leads Formula 2 with the Invicta Racing team.

The spot was tested in August at the circuit of Portimão, in Portugal. During this test, Câmara drove the VF-25, the 2025 model of Haas, following regulations that allow evaluations with older cars. Ayao Komatsu, the team boss, emphasized that the Brazilian made a great impression during this trial.

In an official team statement, Câmara expressed his satisfaction in joining Haas as a Formula 1 driver, classifying the move as a significant step in his career. He thanked Gene Haas and Komatsu for the trust placed in him.

Gene Haas, the team owner, compared Câmara's trajectory with that of Bearman, who is also part of the Ferrari academy. According to Haas, both young drivers are very well prepared and have the potential to make an immediate impact on the team.