Eben Etzebeth is back but the Sharks have left several stars behind for Friday night’s EPCR Challenge Cup last-16 clash against Connacht in Galway.
Etzebeth has completed his 12-week suspension after being found guilty of eye-gouging Wales flanker Alex Mann in Cardiff last November, and his return is a big boost for the Sharks heading into the business end of the season.
However, SuperSport.com reports that the Durban-based outfit has travelled to Ireland without regular captain André Esterhuizen, Siya Kolisi, Bongi Mbonambi and Grant Williams, among others.
The Sharks are clearly prioritising their Vodacom URC campaign – they are 10th on the log with four rounds remaining, seven points behind the eighth-placed Bulls.
But No 8 Nick Hatton insists they can compete on both fronts.
“When you get to this stage and you are committed to two competitions, you do require a squad effort,” Hatton said on Wednesday. “We’ve had a good few days of preparation back home in Durban, and hopefully the squad will get us through. We are looking forward to what we can put out.
KEO: JP’s Sharks mirror his mindset
“We are excited,” he added. “This is knockout rugby. We know we need to win if we are to progress. Galway is not an easy place to go out and win, but we have belief in our systems. We feel there is a good chance of us doing something special here.”
Photo: Steve Haag/Gallo Images