Beast stays at home

 

The Sharks will spend a week in Christchurch preparing for their Super Rugby semifinal against the Crusaders.

 

The majority of the squad who did duty on the weekend made the long journey across 10 time zones, although injury prevented Anton Bresler and Mtawarira's inclusion.

 

After leaving the field injured in the 30th minute of Saturday’s game, Anton Bresler has not recovered so Marco Wentzel has been included in the touring squad to provide second row depth.

 

Stephan Lewies, named to play in the quarter-final match, but withdrawing late, is with the squad overseas.

 

“He was just sore before the Highlanders game, and we didn’t want to risk him and then have him come off early,” explained Director of Rugby Jake White.

 

With Mtawarira still battling with a neck injury, White has entrusted the loosehead duties to young Du Toit and Dale Chadwick.

 

“Thomas was outstanding, we have him and Dale. With Beast only 50-50, we’ve stuck with Thomas and Dale, and that’s not too bad considering how they performed,” White concluded.

 

Sharks Touring Squad: Lourens Adriaanse, Willem Alberts, Dale Chadwick, Marcell Coetzee, Kyle Cooper, Tonderai Chavhanga, Jean Deysel, Bismarck du Plessis, Jannie du Plessis, Thomas du Toit, Paul Jordaan, Ryan Kankowski, Patrick Lambie, Stephan Lewies, SP Marais, Charl McLeod, Odwa Ndungane, lubabalo Mtembu, Lwazi Mvovo, Etienne Oosthuizen, JP Pietersen, Cobus Reinach, Sibusiso Sithole, Francois Steyn, Marco Wentzel.