Sharks coach JP Pietersen has brought back three players from the Springboks team for the starting URC match against Cardiff in Wales, with Andre 'The Giant' Esterhuizen leading the team once again.
Five out of the six current Sharks players who are Springbok representatives return after mandatory rest taken last week. Ethan Hooker and Edwill van der Merwe are named on the flanks, while forwards Ox Nche and Thomas du Toit are in reserve.
Eben Etzebeth will be unable to participate in the match due to a leg injury. Pietersen updated his list of 23 players following an impressive victory over Lyon last week. Gianni Lombard starts at scrum-half instead of Jordan Hendrickse, and Jayden Hendrickse comes in for Ivan van Zyl.
Jurenco 'Boegie Man' Julius returns to the wing centre position, replacing Suleiman Hartzenberg. Vincent Tsituka returns from injury as part of the powerful 'Bomber unit'; only Siya Masuku and Ethan Bester have not played for the Springboks among the eight reserves.
Cardiff and Sharks are separated by only one point; both clubs have won two out of three matches and occupy fifth and sixth positions in the URC table.
Sharks squad for the match against Cardiff
Assistant coach Warren Whiteley noted that 'Cardiff is a high-level, tactically very smart team, and this will be a great battle.' He explained that the season was built on three principles.
The first principle was to be faster, more resilient, and better prepared than ever before, and there are incredibly positive changes in this area. The second focus was on physical strength, as they aim to become the most physically strong team in all aspects of the game. The third factor is relentlessness, which reflects the culture and values of the team. Whiteley noted it is pleasing to see how this manifests, largely thanks to mutual care and belief in teammates.
He added that it was wonderful to observe this last week, and they want to continue growing together, bonding as a group. In the game, they aim to demonstrate this identity: being fast, physically strong, and relentless.
The match at the legendary Cardiff Arms Park is scheduled for Friday evening and will start at 20:45.
The Sharks squad includes: 15 Sekxetelo Siaya, 14 Edwill van der Merwe, 13 Jurenco Julius, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Ethan Hooker, 10 Gianni Lombard, 9 Jayden Hendrickse, 8 Nick Hatton (captain), 7 Manu Tsituka, 6 Matt Romao, 5 Emil van Heerden, 4 Jason Jenkins, 3 Hanro Jacobs, 2 Eduan Swart, and 1 Patu Ganyane. Reserves: 16 Ethan Bester, 17 Ox Nche, 18 Thomas du Toit, 19 Stefan Levis, 20 Vincent Tsituka, 21 Ivan van Zyl, 22 Siya Masuku, and 23 Jaco Williams.