DURBAN - Sharks coach Robert du Preez has trimmed down his 45-man Super Rugby squad announced last week to 26 for Saturday’s match against Racing 92 in Hong Kong.
The coach gave all the members of the greater squad opportunities in the friendly against the Bulls in Polokwane at the weekend and then finalised a smaller group to play the Paris club. It is from this tour squad that he will surely pick his side to play the Lions in Johannesburg in round one on February 17. Saturday's game against Racing will be the Sharks’ final warm-up match.
Centre Andre Esterhuizen is not yet back from Japan but otherwise the Sharks are just about at full-strength after having taken into consideration that scrumhalf Louis Schreuder suffered a serious hamstring injury at the weekend and hooker Akker van der Merwe is not going to Hong Kong because of a shoulder niggle picked up the 31-14 victory over the Bulls.
Sharks squad
Forwards: Juan Schoeman, Mzamo Majola, Thomas du Toit, John-Hubert Meyer, Franco Marais, Mahlatse Ralepelle, Ruan Botha, Stephan Lewies, Hyron Andrews, Philip van der Walt, Tyler Paul, Jacques Vermeulen, Keegan Daniel, Lubabalo Mtembu.
Backs: Cameron Wright, Grant Williams, Curwin Bosch, Robert du Preez, Sibusiso Nkosi, Jeremy Ward, Marius Louw, Lukhanyo Am, Jacobus van Wyk, Makazole Mapimpi, Lwazi Mvovo, Garth April.