Springboks aplenty in Sharks' two-match URC touring squad

They will meet Edinburgh on Friday night (8.30pm kick-off) at Hive Stadium, before heading to Ireland to take on Ulster in their final away match. Following that, the Sharks host Ospreys and Scalets at Kings Park.

With the focus now solely on the URC campaign and the push for a top-four finish to the pool stages, Sharks head coach John Plumtree has selected possibly the strongest squad he has had available to him this season

The Sharks welcome back Springboks Eben Etzebeth, Grant Williams, Lukhanyo Am and Aphelele Fassi, the quartet having missed various parts of the season due to injury, but are now back in the reckoning.

This tour represents an important juncture in the Sharks' campaign as they look to wrestle precious log points away from home against Edinburgh and Ulster, who are still well in the running for a top-four finish.

Every point the Sharks collect before the knockouts inches them closer to a home quarterfinal and possibly even a home semifinal.

Sharks touring 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.

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