Injuries Force Sharks Into Surprise Flyhalf Selection

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.