No Alberts as Sharks name squad

 

Paul Jordaan, Tonderai Chavhanga, JC Astle and Stephan Lewies are the other players not considered for the squad as they continue their own rehabilitation.

 

Albert's hamstring has caused the Springbok loose forward problems ever since the Rugby Championship where he missed the narrow home and away wins over Argentina.

 

It is unclear when Alberts will be fit enough to be in contention for the Sharks team.

 

The flank was then included in the Springbok squad to travel to New Zealand and Australia but withdrew shortly before the team jetted off.

For the rest of the Sharks squad, all the familiar names are there, a squad filled with depth in every position available to the leadership group of Bismarck du Plessis, Pat Lambie, Lubabalo Mtembu and Francois Steyn.

 

Two notable inclusions are Sharks trialists Paul Perez and Lubabalo Mtyanda.

 

Frans Steyn, Ryan Kankowski and JP Pietersen are not yet with the squad as they are currently still completing their Japanese club commitments, as is new-signing Michael Claassens who is still with Toulon.

 

One the positive side, Springbok Jean Deysel reported for training on Monday.

The Sharks kick off their 2015 campaign against the Cheetahs at Kings Park on Saturday.

 

Sharks Super Rugby Squad: Lourens Adriaanse, Mouritz Botha, Renaldo Bothma, Dale Chadwick, Michael Claassens, Marcell Coetzee, Kyle Cooper, Lionel Cronjé, Jean Deysel, Bismarck du Plessis, Jannie du Plessis, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Thomas du Toit, Andre Esterhuizen, Monde Hadebe, Conrad Hoffmann, Ryan Kankowski, Patrick Lambie, Khaya Majola, Franco Marais, SP Marais, Tendai Mtawarira, Lubabalo Mtembu, Lubabalo Mtyanda, Waylon Murray, Lwazi Mvovo, Odwa Ndungane, Etienne Oosthuizen, Paul Perez, JP Pietersen, Cobus Reinach, Sibusiso Sithole, Matt Stevens, Frans Steyn, Stefan Ungerer, Marco Wentzel, Heimar Williams, Jack Wilson, Cameron Wright, Fred Zeilinga.