Sharks Super rugby head coach Robert du Preez has named a 27-man squad for this Saturday’s Super rugby quarter-final match against the Brumbies in Canberra.
The Sharks last-gasp 9-12 victory over the Stormers in Cape Town allowed the Durban side to finish in sixth place so they travel to Canberra to play the Brumbies who finished third after winning the Australian Conference.
The Sharks departed for Australia on Sunday evening without Beast Mtawarira who will not make the trip after his withdrawal with a knee niggle from the Stormers match.
Philip van der Walt and Jean-Luc du Preez have also not yet been passed fit to play, although Craig Burden has been included after picking up a hamstring tweak that ruled him out of Saturday’s match.
Further good news is the inclusion of Curwin Bosch who also missed the Stormers game but is now fully fit.
“The Stormers are a fantastic side and the game could have gone either way,” said Robert du Preez following the team’s win that secured a top-eight finish and a place in the playoffs in a drama-filled final weekend of Super Rugby action.
“The game was in the balance all the way to the final hooter, but I thought the character the boys showed was tremendous and that vindicated everything this team is about on attack and defence.
“We were dominant the whole game and scored two tries. But rugby is a cruel game, a game of moments.”
Sharks touring squad
Forwards (15)
Juan Schoeman, Mzamo Majola, Kerron van Vuuren, Craig Burden, Cullen Collopy, Coenie Oosthuizen, Thomas du Toit, John-Hubert Meyer, Ruben van Heerden, Gideon Koegelenberg, Hyron Andrews, Daniel du Preez, Jacques Vermeulen, Tyler Paul, Luke Stringer
Backs (12)
Louis Schreuder (captain), Cameron Wright, Robert du Preez, Curwin Bosch, Makazole Mapimpi, Andre Esterhuizen, Jeremy Ward, Lukhanyo Am, Kobus van Wyk, S’bu Nkosi, Aphelele Fassi, Rhyno Smith
