Everitt backs young guns against Kings
The Sharks will be resting a few players for the encounter and they also have a number of players out injured.
Captain Patrick Lambie is set for an extended spell on the sidelines with a fractured vertebra, while Philip van der Walt is out with a fractured cheekbone
"We do have injuries this weekend, but at some stage, we do have to rest our Springboks so the plan was always to rest them this weekend anyway," Everitt told sharksrugby.co.za.
"Certainly not because we're underestimating the Kings, but because of the games we have ahead of us which will then take us into the bye. That counts as another rest week which means we can have some continuity going into the second stanza of the competition."
Everitt said he is confident that the younger members of the squad will be able to handle the pressure of Super Rugby.
"We back the young guys. Fortunately, we've trained with a big squad and every one of the players has put his hand up for selection.
"We had two pre-season friendlies where they all got an opportunity to show their hand and they all came out with flying colours.
"We don’t have an issue about who gets to play, they all know their roles and now they have the opportunity to gain a starting position," Everitt added.
Everitt also admitted that Lambie's injury was a huge blow for the team.
"The team is extremely disappointed for him, he’s had some bad luck over the last few years," said Everitt.
"This is the fourth year that he's had an injury. But whether he gets injured or not, we know he can't play all the games because of his Springbok contractual obligations, so we do have a back-up plan with good youngsters in Benhard Janse van Rensburg, Inny Radebe and Garth April who can fulfil that role."
@TheSharksZA
* Pics supplied by: Wayne Seagreen Photography
