Thomas du Toit will captain the Sharks in a friendly against the Stormers in Port Elizabeth on Friday afternoon. This will be their final warm-up before they fly to Italy on September 23 to face Zebre in their opening United Rugby Championship match.
The Sharks warmed up with a 45-43 victory over the Lions in Johannesburg last week, and they will conclude their preparations at Siya Kolisi’s former high school, Grey High.
Kolisi and a number of Sharks are currently in Buenos Aires with the Springboks training for next week’s Rugby Championship match against Argentina.
The Sharks will be without ten Springboks for their inaugural URC fixtures in Italy, Wales, and Ireland on consecutive weekends, with the Dragons in Newport expected to be a step up in intensity from Zebre and the tour culminating in Dublin against Leinster, perhaps Europe’s greatest team.
The Sharks have suffered some preseason injuries and are a little weak in the second row with the loss of Ruben van Heerden to Exeter Chiefs and the injury to Le Roux Roets, but they will be glad to see Gerbrandt Grobler among the replacements as he returns from a lengthy injury.
Alongside Reniel Hugo on the second row is another former Cheetah, Justin Basson.
After a struggle between the Sharks and the Lions, Vincent Tshituka has arrived in Durban. However, he will not be on the tour because he is currently recovering from a shoulder injury, as is another loose forward, Mpilo Gumede.
15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Werner Kok, 13 Ben Tapuia, 12 Rohan Janse van Rensburg, 11 Yaw Penxe, 10 Curwin Bosch, 8 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 7 Dylan Richardson, 6 James Venter, 5 Reniel Hugo, 4 Justin Basson, 3 Thomas du Toit (captain), 2 Kerron van Vuuren, and 1 Ntuthuko Mchunu comprise the Sharks lineup
Replacements: Dan Jooste, Fez Mbatha, Dian Bleuler, Carlu Sadie, Thembelani Bholi, Gerbrandt Grobler, Phepsi Buthelezi, Zee Mkhabela, Boeta Chamberlain, Marnus Potgieter, Thaakir Abrahams.