Springbok lock Eben Etzebeth returns for the Sharks ahead of Connacht clash.
Image: BackpagePix
The Sharks travelled to Ireland on Tuesday evening with Eben Etzebeth safely on board for his comeback match against Connacht on Friday night (9pm kick-off), but it appears that fellow Springboks Siya Kolisi, Grant Williams, Andre Esterhuizen, and Bongi Mbonambi have stayed in Durban.
In fact, it is a Sharks squad likely to be bereft of key players for the Challenge Cup Round of 16 fixture. Also at home nursing injuries are the Hendrikse brothers, Jaden and Jordan. The latter is the first-choice flyhalf and his brother the first-choice scrumhalf when Williams is not available, which is often, and will be permanent at the end of the season when Williams moves to Japan.
With Williams and Jaden indisposed, Bradley Williams and Ross Braude will be the 9s on duty against Connacht, while Junior Springbok Ceano Everson will be the squad back-up.
With Jordan Hendrikse not travelling, there is the welcome return from injury of Siya Masuku, while former Junior Bok Jean Smith is the back-up flyhalf. The latter finishes up at the Sharks at the end of the season and is moving to Benetton. The 22-year-old was born in Italy, where his father, Franco, had a career with Benetton.
Good news for Sharks fans is that Ethan Hooker will be on duty in the midfield, probably with Junior Springbok Le Roux Malan, while the powerfully built Marnus Potgieter is back after a lengthy injury rehab.
The Sharks are running out of fullbacks because of the injuries to Aphelele Fassi and up-and-comers Jaco Williams and Luan Giliomee. Hakeem Kunene could start there on Friday night, but there is also the option of using Springbok Edwill van der Merwe at 15. The latter is back in favour, and if not at fullback, will join Makazole Mapimpi in the wings.
In the pack, Etzebeth has fellow double-World Cup-winners Ox Nche and Vincent Koch alongside him. It is uncertain who will partner Etzebeth in the second row because Emile van Heerden has not travelled. The locks likely to be on duty are Corne Rahl and Deon Slabbert.
With Esterhuizen seemingly not in Galway to lead the team, there are strong captaincy candidates in loose forwards Nick Hatton and Vincent Tshituka, both former captains. It is unlikely that Etzebeth will be burdened with the captaincy in his comeback game.