The Hollywoodbets Sharks take the next step in their preparations for the imminent Vodacom United Rugby Championship season when they travel to George on Friday to play a warmup game against the DHL Stormers.
With the Sharks set to be without their Springboks for the first three games, which happen to include tough away games against Glasgow Warriors and Leinster, coach John Plumtree is having to dig deep in his search for depth.
That includes bringing in players from the smaller unions on loan, and he was helped in that regard when the Airlink Pumas exited the Carling Currie Cup last week.
That has enabled him to include the Bloemfontein educated Canadian scrumhalf Ross Braude in his extended squad for the clash at Outeniqua Park, as well as the feisty Pumas hooker Eduan Swart.
There is also an opportunity for former Emirates Lions wing Edwill van der Merwe, who makes his return to rugby from the injury that ruled him out of the past few Springbok games by making his Sharks debut off the bench.
Lukhanyo Am, the Bok World Cup winning centre, made his comeback from injury by playing for the Sharks Invitational team in their friendly against Saracens last week and this week he gets promoted to the URC team, where he forms a partnership with fellow Bok capped centre Francois Venter.
Blitzbok Sevens star Christie Grobbelaar impressed for that invitation team and earns promotion this week to the Sharks senior team.
There’s a first start of the season for former Lions Bok prop Ruan Dreyer, who was running with the injured group when the Sharks trained last week but is now obviously ready to play. The side will be captained by Vincent Tshituka, as he did last week in the final Currie Cup game against the Pumas, although this week he moves to No 8 in place of Nick Hatton, who moves to the bench.
The kick-off at Outeniqua Park is at 6pm.
Hollywoodbets Sharks: Yaw Penxe, PK Sobahle, Lukhanyo Am, Francois Venter, Christie Grobbelaar, Siya Masuku, Jaden Hendrikse, Vincent Tshituka (captain), Manu Tshituka, Phepsi Buthelezi, Jason Jenkins, Bahtobele Hlekani, Ruan Dreyer, Fez Mbatha, Phatu Ganyane.
Replacements: Eduan Swart, Dian Bleuler, Lee-Marvin Mazibuko, Deon Slabbert, Tino Mavesere, Nick Hatton, Ross Braude, Edwill van der Merwe, Paschal Ekeji, Jean Smith, Hakeem Kunene, Mwanda Madanda, Willem van den Hever.