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Injured Beast stays home

Durban - The Cell C Sharks departed from Durban on Sunday en-route to Christchurch, New Zealand, where they will spend the week preparing for Saturday’s Vodacom Super Rugby semi-final against the Crusaders.

According to Sharks website editor Michael Marnewick, the majority of the squad who did duty on the weekend made the long journey across 10 time zones, although injury prevented two players from making the trip.

After leaving the field injured in the 30th minute of Saturday’s game, Anton Bresler has not recovered and Marco Wentzel was included in the touring squad to provide second row depth.

Stephan Lewies, named to play in the quarter-final match, but not being passed to fit, is with the squad overseas. “He was just sore before the Highlanders game, and we didn’t want to risk him and then have him come off early,” explained Director of Rugby Jake White.

Unfortunately, Beast Mtawarira, battling with a neck injury, has not made the trip. White has entrusted the loosehead duties to young Thomas du Toit and Dale Chadwick.

“Thomas was outstanding, we have him and Dale. With Beast only 50-50, we’ve stuck with Thomas and Dale, and that’s not too bad considering how they performed.”

Sharks touring squad

Lourens Adriaanse, Willem Alberts, Dale Chadwick, Marcell Coetzee, Kyle Cooper, Tonderai Chavhanga, Jean Deysel, Bismarck du Plessis, Jannie du Plessis, Thomas du Toit, Paul Jordaan, Ryan Kankowski, Patrick Lambie, Stephan Lewies, SP Marais, Charl McLeod, Odwa Ndungane, Lubabalo Mtembu, Lwazi Mvovo, Etienne Oosthuizen, JP Pietersen, Cobus Reinach, Sibusiso Sithole, Francois Steyn, Marco Wentzel

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