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Sharks rush their Boks back

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Sharks coach Sean Everitt wasted no time in rushing his Springboks back for their Super Sunday pre-season outing.

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The Sharks face the Stormers in the early match of the Soweto double-header.

World Cup-winning Boks Thomas du Toit, Andre Esterhuizen, Lukhanyo Am, Makazole Mapimpi and Sibusiso Nkosi are all part of the 28-man squad for the Highveld trip.

Other Boks in the squad include Sikhumbuzo Notshe, Curwin Bosch, Louis Schreuder and Lwazi Mvovo.

None of the frontline Boks featured in last week’s 64-14 demolition of Russia.

“We are on track and pleased with where we are at the moment,” Everitt said.

“The new things we introduced in the off-season came through in the match against Russia, we just need to polish that up a bit.

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“We also expect the returning Springboks to lift the standard.

“They’ve come to training with a fantastic attitude and they’re keen to get going.

“The World Cup finished in November and they’re excited about playing again and to show why they are world cup champions.

“We’re very fortunate at our union to have players so excited about playing for the Sharks.”

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The coach said Sunday would be a dress rehearsal for the team, as it’s their last hit-out before the Super Rugby season starts.

“There are no friendly games in rugby,” Everitt said, adding: “We probably call this a friendly because there are no log points at stake.

“However, we want to show a lot of intensity. It is something we’ve worked on, we want a high work rate, we want a lot of energy and that’s what we want the crowd to judge us on.

“I think it will be an unforgiving game.

“It’s a big day for everyone; the players will feel that they’re on trial and it will be a full-on contest.

“Hopefully it’s a great spectacle.”

Sharks:

FORWARDS: Dylan Richardson, Henco Venter, Hyron Andrews, James Venter, JJ van der Mescht, John-Hubert Meyer, Kerron van Vuuren, Le Roux Roets, Mzamo Majola, Retshegofaditswe Nche, Ruben van Heerden, Sikhumbuzo Notshe, Tera Mtembu, Thomas du Toit, Tyler Paul.

BACKS: Andre Esterhuizen, Aphelele Fassi, Boeta Chamberlain, Curwin Bosch, Jeremy Ward, Louis Schreuder, Lukhanyo Am, Lwazi Mvovo, Madosh Tambwe, Makazole Mapimpi, Marius Louw, Sanele Nohamba, Sibusiso Nkosi.

Date: Sunday, January 19
Venue: Soccer City, Soweto
Kick-off: 13.00 (11.00 GMT)
Referee: AJ Jacobs
Assistant referees: Cwengile Jadezweni, Griffon Colby
TMO: Willie Vos

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