Springbok coach Jake White has called up to his training squad a player who has barely played in the Currie Cup, while ignoring the star that has kept him out of the Sharks team.
We are talking about flankers Solly Tyibilika and Luke Watson, who have been fierce rivals now for two seasons.
Tyibilika, an undoubtedly talented loose forward, was the man in possession during the Super 12 and it was Watson who did not get a look-in when coach Kevin Putt stuck with his policy of consistency on selection.
But since Watson was given his chance, he has been in sensational form, prompting a nationwide hunt for his signature - the South African Under-21 captain's contract with the Sharks expires at the end of the season.
Watson has not disclosed where he will be playing his rugby next year but he can just about pick his province.
The Sharks are doing their best to keep Watson in Durban, but rumours that he is heading for Cape Town are gathering substance.
There has been speculation that another Sharks star, Brent Russell, is keen to head for Western Province, but this is of academic interest because he is contracted to the Sharks next season and there is no chance that they will let him go.
Tyibilika's call-up is surprising mostly because he has not played in recent months and because he plays in the same position as a man in fine form.
The 30-man squad of players will attend a one-day training camp in Cape Town on September 13.
Lions backs Gcobani Bobo and Ashwin Willemse will also attend the training camp to undergo medical assessments.
Fullback Werner Greeff and utility back Jaque Fourie are back in the frame now that they have recovered from injuries.
World Cup 2003 lock/flank Danie Rossouw has been rewarded for his good Currie Cup form for the Blue Bulls.
A further two camps will be held in October as part of the training preparations for the forthcoming Springbok tour of Britain and Argentina.
Ironically, neither Watson nor Tyibilika is likely to play for the Sharks in their Currie Cup match against the Pumas at the Absa Stadium on Saturday.
Watson is injured and Putt seems to have opted for a loose trio of Shaun Sowerby, AJ Venter and Warren Britz (the team will be announced on Thursday).
On the subject of the Pumas, no fewer than three of their players have signed for the Sharks for the 2005 season, according to reports from Pretoria. They are hooker Skipper Badenhorst, flyhalf/ fullback Jacques Schutte and flank/No 8 Jacques Botes.
Journeyman loose forward Jaco Gouws from the Eagles is another reported to be heading for Durban.
This after the news earlier this week that the Sharks had signed two highly talented 20-year-olds from the Free State - hooker Bismarck du Plessis and scrumhalf Ruan Pienaar.
The Sharks have been unsuccessful in their reported attempts to secure the services of Springboks Bakkies Botha and Jean de Villiers.
Botha has signed a new contract with the Bulls and De Villiers has committed himself to a four-year deal with Western Province.
A Puma who is definitely not bound for Durban this week is lock Quinton Geldenhuys.
On Wednesday, a Sarfu disciplinary tribunal found him guilty of trampling an opponent during last week's match against Western Province and has given him a one-match suspension.