Springbok squad member Deon Carstens has been released to play for the Sharks against the Lions this Wednesday.
The loose-head prop becomes the first member of the Bok squad to be afforded such an opportunity after it previously appeared as if head coach Peter de Villiers would keep each and every one of his players under wraps ahead of the first Test.
Fellow Sharks Ryan Knakowski and Odwa Ndungane were also set to be available to Sharks boss John Plumtree but minor injuries have prevented them from being named in Wednesday’s matchday 22.
In total, the Sharks will be without nine Springbok squad members, with World Cup winning skipper John Smit and international team-mates Adi Jacobs, Tendai Mtawarira, Ruan Pienaar, JP Pietersen, Bismarck du Plessis and Francois Steyn joining Knakowski and Ndungane in missing the mid-week encounter.
The Sharks have nonetheless been able to name a formidable looking side that includes Springbok internationals Johann Muller and Jannie du Plessis at lock and tight-head prop respectively.
Former Ospreys star Stefan Terblanche is another Shark with international experience, having won 37 caps for his country prior to moving to South Wales in 2003.
Second row Albert van den Berg adds more than a half century of international caps to the replacements bench, while former Swansea coach Plumtree is able to call on five players who will face the Lions with the Emerging Springboks on June 23.
Flankers Jacques Botes and Jean Deysel, reserve prop Patric Cilliers, lock Sykes and wing Luzuko Vulindlu have all been recognised as potential future Springboks and will no doubt be among the dangermen for the Lions’ toughest test yet, while scrum-half Rory Kockett has been the Sharks’ regular goalkicker ahead of Pienaar and Steyn throughout the current season.
For more information on the Sharks matchday squad, check out our match preview by clicking here.
Sharks: Stefan Terblanche; Chris Jordaan, Andries Strauss, Riaan Swanepoel, Luzuko Vulindlu, Monty Dumond, Rory Kockott; Deon Carstens, Skipper Badenhorst, Jannie du Plessis, Steven Sykes, Johann Muller (captain), 6 Jacques Botes, Jean Deysel, Keegan Daniel
Replacements: Craig Burden, Patric Cilliers, Albert van den Berg, Michael Rhodes, Charl McLeod, Guy Cronjé, Lwazi Mvovo
