The Sharks have welcomed back several big-name stars for their Currie Cup match this weekend.
The second round of the 2024 edition of the Currie Cup will be boosted by the presence of a number of Springbok squad members who have been released from the national squad by coach Rassie Erasmus.
Erasmus on Tuesday named his matchday-23 to take on Ireland in the second Test in Durban on Saturday and said at the time those players not involved in the action this weekend would be released to their provinces later in the week.
On Wednesday a select group of players left the Bok camp in Durban and returned “home” to their provinces.
Sharks get big boost
The Sharks, based in Durban, are the big beneficiaries, with several Bok stars now back in the team and set to play Currie Cup rugby this weekend.
Newcomer to the Sharks, World Cup winner Trevor Nyakane, who has joined from Racing 92, will play his first game for his new team on Friday in Kimberley against Griquas, while Makazole Mapimpi, also a double World Cup winner, has also been included in the Sharks team.
The other Bok squad members released for Currie Cup action are centre Andre Esterhuizen, who’s back in the black and white jersey after playing for Harlequins in England for several years, fullback Aphelele Fassi, and loose-forward Phepsi Buthelezi. Centre Lukhanyo Am is believed to be still part of the Bok squad, as an injury-cover.
Bulls, Lions and WP
While the Lions team is yet to be named for their Currie Cup match this Friday against the Pumas in Nelspruit, expect Morne van den Berg and Edwill van der Merwe to be considered for action, while the Bulls (who’re up against the Griffons in Welkom) might be able to call on the likes of Jan-Hendrik Wessels and Johan Grobbelaar.
It will also be interesting to see who is available for Western Province (who play the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein) and who has stayed behind as cover in the Bok squad — in case of a late injury to one of the players picked to play in the second Test. Ben-Jason Dixon, Manie Libbok and Evan Roos fall into this category.
Saturday’s second Test between the Boks and Ireland kicks off at 5pm in Durban. The world champion Boks won the first Test in Pretoria last weekend 27-20.
