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Sharks test new halfback duo

Cape Town - Sharks Director of Rugby Gary Gold has selected a squad of 33 players for their Currie Cup warm-up match against the Golden Lions on Friday.

New recruits Michael Claassens and Joe Pietersen will start at scrumhalf and flyhalf respectively in the clash to be played at Woodburn Stadium in Pietermaritzburg.

The team features a nice blend of youth and experience and Gold has opted for a large bench of 18 players.

Springbok lock Pieter-Steph du Toit is named on the bench and will make his return from a knee injury when he gets game time.

The Sharks have not named a captain in the 33-man squad, with an announcement expected to be made next week.

Gold said earlier in the week that he would look to give his players a half of rugby on Friday night (19:00 kick-off) in what will be their last hit-out before they start their Currie Cup campaign away to the Pumas in Nelspruit on Friday, August 7.

Sharks team: 

15. SP Marais, 14. Charles Mayeza, 13. Paul Jordaan, 12. Andre Esterhuizen, 11. Alcino Izaacs, 10. Joe Pietersen, 9. Michael Claassens, 8. Philip van der Walt, 7. Jean-Luc du Preez, 6. Khaya Majola, 5. Marco Wentzel, 4. Etienne Oosthuizen, 3. Lourens Adriaanse, 2. Monde Hadebe, 1. Dale Chadwick

Substitutes: 16. Juan Schoeman, 17. Franco Marais, 18. Thomas du Toit, 19. Wiehan Hay, 20. Pieter-Steph du Toit, 21. Francois Kleinhans, 22. Dave McDuling, 23. Christiaan de Bruin, 24. Stefan Ungerer, 25. Lionel Cronje, 26. S'bura Sithole, 27. Heimar Williams, 28. Wandile Mjekevu, 29. Odwa Ndungane, 30. Garth April, 31. Gerhard Engelbrecht, 32. JC Astle, 33. Tonderai Chavhanga

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