Sharks leave for Argentina without Beast Mtawarira

The Sharks left for Argentina today (4 June) to take on the Jaguares in their penultimate pool match of the 2019 Super Rugby campaign without Tendai ‘Beast’ Mtawarira.

The inspirational Sharks prop was ruled out of the tour with injury alongside back-up scrumhalf Cameron Wright.

A win for the Jaguares could guarantee the Argentine franchise top spot in the South African conference while defeat will draw them back into the bunfight for playoff places beneath them.

The Jaguares head into the weekend eight log points ahead of the Sharks who occupy fourth spot in the conference with 33 points, a point behind the Bulls in third and two points adrift of the second placed Lions.

Head coach Robert du Preez Sr. has named a 25 man squad for the trip to Argentina, taking 14 forwards and 11 backs. Hooker Akker van der Merwe remains on the injured list will not travel, but the Sharks could welcome back Craig Burden who has been named as the second hooker along with Kerron van Vuuren.

Wright’s absence means that young scrumhalf Zee Makhabela could get another run off the bench after making his Sharks Super Rugby debut as a sub against the Hurricanes. Makhabela returned to his home province this year having spent five years in the Free State, where his involvement with the Cheetahs was limited to Currie Cup and Supersport Rugby Challenge action.

The Sharks XV Supersport Challenge skipper Jeremy Ward returns to the Super Rugby squad as well. Ward was slapped with a five-match ban earlier in the Super Rugby campaign for a tip tackle that resembled a UFC/WWE half-nelson takedown on Bulls wing Rosko Specman.

Sharks touring squad

Sharks Forwards

Coenie Oosthuizen

Craig Burden

Daniel du Preez

Hyron Andrews

Jacques Vermeulen

Jean-Luc du Preez

John-Hubert Meyer

Juan Schoeman

Kerron van Vuuren

Mzamo Majola

Ruan Botha

Ruben van Heerden

Thomas du Toit

Tyler Paul

Sharks Backs

Louis Schreuder (Captain)

Andre Esterhuizen

Aphelele Fassi

Curwin Bosch

Jeremy Ward

Kobus van Wyk

Lukhanyo Am

Makazole Mapimpi

Robert du Preez

Sbu Nkosi

Zee Makhabela