The Sharks will mix experience with youth in this year’s Absa Currie Cup campaign, as they face the annual exodus of players to the Springbok cause for the four team Castle Rugby Championship.

Having lost 10 players to the Springboks, two to injury (Pieter Stef du toit, Tim Whitehead) and the departure of another two (Frederic Michalak returns to France and Ryan Kankowski who will complete the year with his club in Japan) will make things very tough for their Currie Cup campaign, but it is an opportunity for the younger and fringe players to step up.

The Sharks named a  28-man Sharks squad to do battle in South Africa’s premier domestic competition.

The Currie Cup tournament kicks off with an away game against Western Province this weekend, with the first home game at Mr Price KINGS PARK taking place against the Lions next weekend.

The experienced Sharks stalwarts will have to guide the youngsters, three Springboks and a number of veterans of many campaigns who will provide experienced heads around the exuberance of youth.

For the youngsters picked to play this season, this presents an opportunity to stake a claim for long term inclusion and a shot at Super Rugby and beyond, which each year throws out a couple of players that can be added to The Sharks stocks.

Of course one cannot rule out any further injuries or any further call up’s for Sharks players to do national duty.

While the Currie Cup provides the breeding ground for future stars, it also issues up a challenge to the participating teams, a challenge The Sharks will gladly accept.

Sharks Currie Cup Squad

1. Meyer Bosman 2. Jacques Botes 3. Anton Bresler 4. Craig Burden 5. Dale Chadwick 6. Kyle Cooper  (INJURED) 7. Jean Deysel 8. Pieter-Steph du Toit (INJURED) 9. Monde Hadebe 10. Wiehahn Herbst 11. Conrad Hoffmann 12. Paul Jordaan 13. Marius Joubert 14. Francois Kleinhans 15. Louis Ludik 16. Jandre Marais 17. Peet Marais 18. Charl McLeod 19. Lubabalo Mtembu 20. Odwa Ndungane 21. Gouws Prinsloo 22. Julian Redelinghuys   23. Cobus Reinach 24. Sbura Sithole 25. Rosko Specman 26. Steven Sykes 27. Riaan Viljoen 28. Tim Whitehead (INJURED)

Looking ahead

Looking at the squad, one can assume there will be no rest for the players that have just returned from the Super Rugby final in New Zealand, as the Sharks now travel to Cape Town for their opening match against Western Province at Newlands Stadium on Saturday evening.

The squad of 28 carries 3 players that are still out injured in Pieter Stef du Tiot, Tim Whitehead and Kyle Cooper, and also two players getting a rest (Anton Bresler, Charl Mcleod) leaving only 23 to select from for their next outing.

My guess is the team selected to face Western Province could be as follows:

15 Louis Ludik, 14 Odwa Ndugane, 13 Paul Jordaan, 12 Meyer Bosman, 11 Sbura Sithole, 10 Riaan Viljoen, 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Lubabalo Mtembu, 7 Jean Deysel (Captain), 6 Jacques Botes, 5 Jandre Mare, 4 Steven Sykes, 3 Wiehahn Herbst, 2 Craig Burden, 1 Dale Chadwick
Replacements: 16 Monde Hadebe, 17 Julian Redelinghuys, 18 Peet Marais, 19 Francois Kleinhans, 20 Conrad Hoffmann, 21 Marius Joubert, 22 Gouws Prinsloo