Siya Kolisi returns to action for the Sharks

Hollywoodbets Sharks head coach JP Pietersen has named a 28-man squad that flies to Wales on Tuesday, ahead of back-to-back away matches against the Ospreys and Edinburgh.

With the Race to the Eight heating up over the last four weekends of Vodacom United Rugby Championship pool match action, the Sharks are under no illusion as the enormity of the closing stages of the tournament as they look to meet their ambitions in the competition.

Andre Esterhuizen is back to lead the team in Saturday’s crunch match against Ospreys, the team from Swansea currently trailing the Sharks by three log points.

Siya Kolisi makes his welcome return to the team after overcoming a calf niggle and his name is included alongside locks Jason Jenkins and Emile van Heerden, the pair also back in the side amongst the 16 forwards likely to feature during this testing fortnight period.

Of the 12 backline players, there is good news with the naming of Jurenzo Julius back in the side, amongst a host of familiar names, while the exciting 18-year-old Zekhethelo Siyaya looks set to make his debut following a run of injuries to the fullbacks in the squad.

The former Westville Boys High star has represented the province at Under-16 and Under-18 level, as well as SA Under-18, scoring a brace of tries in the country’s defeat of their junior Irish counterparts and big things are expected of the youngster.

Hollywoodbets Sharks Touring Squad

Forwards: Corne' Rahl, Eduan Swart, Emile van Heerden, Emmanuel Tshituka, Fez Mbatha, Hanro Jacobs, Jason Jenkins, Lee-Marvin Mazibuko, Nick Hatton, Ox Nche, Phatu Ganyane, Phepsi Buthelezi, Siya Kolisi, Vincent Koch, Vincent Tshituka, Willem van den Hever.

Backs: Andre Esterhuizen, Bradley Davids, Edwill van der Merwe, Ethan Hooker, Jaden Hendrikse, Jean Smith, Jurenzo Julius, Le Roux Malan, Makazole Mapimpi, Ross Braude, Siya Masuku, Zekhethelo Siyaya.