With Vusi Moyo out with a shoulder injury sustained against the DHL Stormers at the weekend the Hollywoodbets Sharks coach JP Pietersen will consider the return to fitness of Jordan Hendrikse to be perfect timing.
The Sharks play Lyon in Lyon in their first EPCR Challenge Cup game on Saturday and a squad of 28 has been called up from which the 23 to play the game will be chosen. The Sharks then proceed to Cardiff and Munster respectively for two Vodacom URC games and it can be assumed that there may be some Springbok reinforcements called up for those games.
The Sharks’ Boks were given the week off as a reflection of the approach the Durbanites will adopt to their Challenge Cup campaign - it will be seen as an opportunity to develop depth by rotating selection. The likes of Ethan Hooker, Edwill van der Merwe, Thomas du Toit, Ox Nche and regular captain Andre Esterhuizen have been left out of the initial squad, with those players understood to be enjoying a week off.
Eben Etzebeth is also not in the group but he is on the list of injured players released by the Sharks simultaneously with the squad announcement. The other players unavailable through injury include Fez Mbatha, Hendre Stassen, Makazole Mapimpi, Phepsi Buthelezi, Moyo and Yaw Penxe.
There is also no Siya Masuku in either group so it can be assumed that the flyhalf duties will be shared by the two former Lions players, Hendrikse and Gianni Lombard.
Hendrikse, who played flyhalf for the Boks in 2024 was widely regarded as the next cab off the flyhalf rank behind the established trio of Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Manie Libbok and Handre Pollard, has yet to play for the Sharks after spending the off-season recovering from injury.
Another player that Sharks fans should be pleased to see returning to the mix is Springbok loose-forward Vincent Tshikuka. Also an ex Lions player, Tshituka has utility value in the sense that he can also play lock if needed.
Hollywoodbets Sharks squad (for three match overseas tour)
Forwards: Cameron Dawson, Deon Slabbert, Eduan Swart, Emile van Heerden, Esethu Mnebelele, Ethan Bester, Hanro Jacobs, Jason Jenkins, Manu Tshituka, Matt Ramao, Nemo Roelofse, Nick Hatton, Phatu Ganyane, Stephan Lewies, Tinotenda Mavesere, Vincent Koch, Vincent Tshituka.
Backs: Bradley Davids, Gianni Lombard, Ivan van Zyl, Jaco Williams, Jaden Hendrikse, Jordan Hendrikse, Jurenzo Julius, Litelihle Bester, Murray Koster, Suleiman Hartzenberg, Zekhethelo Siyaya.
Players unavailable through injury: Eben Etzebeth (Lower limb - awaiting further examination), Fez Mbatha (lower limb injury), Hendre Stassen (tendon), Makazole Mapimpi (hamstring), Phepsi Buthelezi (shoulder), Vusi Moyo (shoulder injury), Yaw Penxe (Pec injury).