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.'