Boks return as Plumtree reveals star-studded Sharks squad

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Sharks head coach John Plumtree has revealed a powerful squad for their two-match tour in the United Rugby Championship.

The team from Durban will meet Edinburgh on Friday before heading to Ireland to take on Ulster in their final away match.

Plumtree has selected possibly the strongest squad he has had available to him this season, as he welcomes back Springboks Eben Etzebeth, Grant Williams, Lukhanyo Am and Aphelele Fassi.

The quartet missed various parts of the season due to injury, but are now back in the reckoning.

Etzebeth has been out of action since early December.

The 33-year-old was first battling recurring concussion symptoms for a few months before suffering a hamstring injury during a Bok alignment camp in Cape Town in March.

Fassi also had a lengthy spell on the sidelines with an ankle injury he suffered during the Sharks’ defeat to the Stormers at the end of last year.

The tour represents an important juncture in the Sharks’ campaign as they look to wrestle precious log points away from home against two sides who are still well in the running for a top-four finish [Ulster are currently sixth, while Edinburgh lie in eighth place].

Sharks tour squad:

Forwards: Bongi Mbonambi, Eben Etzebeth, Emile van Heerden, Ethan Bester, Fezokuhle Mbatha, Hanro Jacobs, James Venter, Jason Jenkins, Manu Tshituka, Ntuthuko Mchunu, Ox Nche, Phepsi Buthelezi, Ruan Dreyer, Siya Kolisi, Vincent Koch, Vincent Tshituka.

Backs: Andre Esterhuizen, Aphelele Fassi, Bradley Davids, Ethan Hooker, Grant Williams, Jaden Hendrikse, Jordan Hendrikse, Jurenzo Julius, Lukhanyo Am, Makazole Mapimpi, Siya Masuku, Yaw Penxe.