The Cell C Sharks have answered a question that some may have been asking by opting to go full strength for their return Heineken Champions Cup fixture against Harlequins at The Stoop in London on Saturday.
With the Sharks boasting a record of three wins in three starts in the competition, and assured of their place in the round of 16 regardless of what happens in the Harlequins match, it might have been a consideration to rest players as the Sharks did when they went to Galway the week before last to play a Vodacom United Rugby Championship fixture against Connacht.
However, with a URC fixture against Edinburgh to come the week after the London game, the 28-man squad announced before departure on Tuesday is presumably selected with more than just the Harlequins clash in mind.
Our 28 man touring squad for the #HeinekenChampionsCup and Vodacom #URC matches ??
— The Sharks (@SharksRugby) January 17, 2023
??: https://t.co/8txL0HmZpv #FearTheFin pic.twitter.com/3Fnjt3uGHn
The Sharks are taking the Champions Cup very seriously though, and will have an easier round of 16 double round tie to look forward to if they remain in the top two in Pool A, as they are currently.
There is also the not inconsiderable matter of what can be done for the Sharks’ brand in a game in the England capital, where there are many South African expats who support the Sharks who will want to see the game.
Former Sharks lock Stefan Lewies, who now captains Harlequins, spoke at the start of the competition about how much he was looking forward to the Stoop clash.
When the two teams met in early December at Hollywoodbets Kings Park in the first round, the Durban side ran out 39-31 victors against a Harlequins team that rallied well in the second half after falling behind. with the Durban side running out 39-31 victors.
Sharks director of rugby Neil Powell has had to leave Bongi Mbonambi and Boeta Chamberlain behind in Durban because of injuries picked up in the comprehensive 32-3 win over Bordeaux Begles last weekend, but Curwin Bosch, who was a late withdrawal from that game, will be on the flight to London on Tuesday night.
Players not involved last weekend but included in the travel group, probably with the Edinburgh game, where some Springbok resting protocols might have to be adhered to, in mind are Thaakir Abrahams, Grant Williams, Fez Mbatha, Hanru Jacobs and Reniel Hugo.
“There’s still a long way to go in this competition, but our current focus is on Harlequins in London, where we know the conditions will be different to what we played in against Bordeaux,” Powell explained.
“We want to be successful in this tournament and see how far we can go and give ourselves the best opportunity to try and get into the final (in Dubin in May). But our primary focus is on this Harlequins game, hopefully it’s a good outing for us and that we can get some more points to secure a home knock-out game at Kings Park.”
Springbok wing Makazole Mapimpi is included in the squad but obviously his participation in either of the games played on tour will depend on the outcome of a disciplinary hearing he will face on Wednesday after being cited for allegedly making contact with the eye (eye gouging) in last week's game against the Bordeaux-Begles.
His inclusion may be an indication from the Sharks that they are confident he will be cleared by the disciplinary panel.
Cell C Sharks touring squad
Backs: Aphelele Fassi, Ben Tapuai, Cameron Wright, Curwin Bosch, Grant Williams, Jaden Hendrikse, Lionel Cronje, Lukhanyo Am, Makazole Mapimpi, Marnus Potgieter, Rohan Janse van Rensburg, Thaakir Abrahams.
Forwards: Carlu Sadie, Dan Jooste, Eben Etzebeth, Fez Mbatha, Gerbrandt Grobler, Hanru Jacobs, Hyron Andrews, Kerron van Vuuren, Ntuthuko Mchunu, Ox Nche, Phepsi Buthelezi, Reniel Hugo, Sikhumbuzo Notshe, Siya Kolisi (captain), Thomas du Toit, Vincent Tshituka.