Injuries force Sharks into surprise flyhalf selection
SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: The Sharks have revealed their 28-man touring squad for the United Rugby Championship three-week tour.
The Sharks kick off their URC season with away fixtures against Zebre (Italy), Dragons (Wales) and Leinster (Ireland).
The Sharks head coach Sean Everityy named not only the touring squad but also the larger 50-man squad for the season.
Springbok prop Thomas du Toit will captain the squad for this season.
The Sharks embarked with a long injury list.
Flyhalf Curwin Bosch and Lionel Cronje are both unavailable due to injury.
Bosch suffered a hand fracture and will be out for six to eight weeks while Lionel Cronje will be out for the same length of time with a forearm fracture.
The injuries mean that Boeta Chamberlain was the only fit flyhalf in the squad, however, the Sharks recall Fred Zeilinga for the trip.
The 29-year-old returned from stints at the Cheetahs and Japan’s Canon Eagles. He also played for the Lions in last season’s URC.
Loose forwards Vincent Tshituka, Mpilo Gumede, Henco Venter and Jeandre Labuschagne and Tinotenda Mavesere are also sidelined and will miss the tour due to injury.
Sharks 28-man squad:
Fowards: Daniel Jooste, Fezokuhle Mbatha, Kerron van Vuuren, Ntuthuko Mchunu, Dian Bleuler, Thomas du Toit (captain), Hanro Jacobs, Carlu Sadie, Daniel Hugo, Justin Basson, Hyron Andrews, Gerbrandt Grobler, Sikhumbuzo Notshe, Phendulani Buthelezi, Dylan Richardson, James Venter
Backs: Grant Williams, Cameron Wright, Zee Mkhabela, Boeta Chamberlain, Ben Tapuai, Rohan Janse Van Rensburg, Marnus Potgieter, Werner Kok, Thaakir Abrahams, Anthony Volmink, Aphelele Fassi, Fred Zeilinga
Sharks extended squad
