The Sharks are set for a Springbok boost against champions Leinster on Saturday, with six of their internationals ready to return to the URC fray — giving coach JP Pietersen some welcome selection headaches.
Captain Andre Esterhuizen, Thomas du Toit, Eben Etzebeth, Ethan Hooker, Edwill van der Merwe and Ox Nche have all made themselves available after the Springboks’ gruelling Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series and their 42-38 defeat to Australia in Perth.
Pietersen revealed last week that Esterhuizen was set to lead the Sharks against a Leinster side packed with internationals, and his fellow Springboks have followed suit by declaring themselves ready for action.
That gives Pietersen a welcome problem.
The Sharks opened their campaign with a statement 41-24 victory over the Ospreys last weekend, with a new generation of players putting up their hands for further opportunities.
Now Pietersen must find the right balance between the experience and class of his returning Springboks and a young side that performed with considerable promise in their opening match.
He may not unleash all six Boks from the start, particularly given the workloads carried by some of them against the All Blacks and Australia.
Nche and Etzebeth have had plenty of game time and could be used from the bench, while Du Toit is a strong candidate to return to the starting front row.
In the backline, however, Esterhuizen, Hooker and Van der Merwe could slot straight back into the team.
That could mean difficult calls for Pietersen, particularly after centre Janco Purchase impressed against the Ospreys.
Purchase has certainly given the Sharks something to think about.
The 20-year-old was a late call-up last week after Murray Koster withdrew, but he grabbed the opportunity with both hands and looks to have arrived on the URC stage ahead of schedule.
His rise has been rapid — from Afrikaanse Hoër Seunskool to the Junior Springboks and now a starting role in the URC.
He also has leadership credentials, having captained the Blue Bulls at the 2023 Craven Week.
Leinster will provide a much sterner examination than the Ospreys, but Pietersen has the luxury of choosing from a squad in which both his established Springboks and emerging stars are putting up their hands.
And that is a very different selection headache from the one the Sharks have become accustomed to.
