Swiel in Sharks saddle
Tim Swiel will make his Sharks debut at flyhalf in the pre-season game against Premiership club Saracens at Allianz Stadium on Saturday.
The English-born 20-year-old joined the Sharks from Western Province at the conclusion of the Currie Cup last year and will wear the No.10 jersey, with Springbok star Pat Lambie not included in the touring party.
Swiel forms part of a young backline that includes Andre Esterhuizen at inside centre and Tyler Fisher at fullback.
Springbok and Griquas prop Lourens Adriaanse is also set to make his Sharks debut after being included on the bench.
Aside from the withdrawal of Marcell Coetzee due to an elbow injury, fellow Springboks Frans Steyn and Keegan Daniel also stayed in South Africa after picking up injuries in training.
"What I enjoy about this game is that it mimics a little bit of what we can expect from the Bulls," said Director of Rugby Jake White after announcing his maiden Sharks team.
"Saracens play a little bit like the Bulls, they have a big pack of forwards, their set-piece is strong and they kick a lot.
"It gives me and the coaching staff an opportunity to see the things we want to do against the Bulls and to have an idea of whether or not we can play against the Bulls in a certain way."
White added: "The most important thing about this game is that we get through it injury-free. Obviously people would appreciate that they are in the middle of their season, while this is the first hit-out for us, we haven't had any contact situations of a fully-fledged fixture."
Sharks: 15 Tyler Fisher, 14 Odwa Ndungane, 13 Paul Jordaan, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Lwazi Mvovo, 10 Tim Swiel, 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Willem Alberts, 7 Jean Deysel, 6 Tera Mtembu, 5 Pieter-Steph Du Toit, 4 Etienne Oosthuizen, 3 Jannie du Plessis, 2 Bismarck du Plessis (captain), 1 Tendai Mtawarira.
Replacements: 16 Kyle Cooper, 17 Dale Chadwick, 18 Lourens Adriaanse, 19 Stephan Lewies, 20 Jacques Botes, 21 Charl McLeod, 22 Heimar Williams, 23 Jaco van Tonder.
Date: Saturday, February 25
Venue: Allianz Park
Kick-off: 14.30 (16.30 SA time)
Referee: Tim Wigglesworth (England)
Assistant Referees: Matthew Carley (England), Gareth Copsey (England)
TMO: Sean Davey (England)
