SA's European Rugby Weekend: Fixtures, form and what's at stake
South Africa's European rugby campaign opens this weekend with five fixtures across the Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup.
Sharks turn to squad depth for European tour as Jordan Hendrikse returns
The Durban side open their EPCR Challenge Cup title defence against Lyon at Stade de Gerland on Saturday before facing Cardiff and Munster in the United Rugby Championship over the following two weekends.
Springboks Jordan Hendrikse and Vincent Tshituka are among the notable inclusions, having recovered from injuries that have delayed their starts to the season. Jaco Williams is also back in contention, while Hendrikse's return provides Pietersen with another option at flyhalf.
The squad includes 17 forwards and 11 backs, with several senior internationals absent as they take a mandatory rest period following a demanding run of rugby. Captain Andre Esterhuizen, Ox Nche, Thomas du Toit, Ethan Hooker and Edwill van der Merwe have not travelled with the initial group but could join the tour later.
There is less encouraging news on the injury front, with Eben Etzebeth among seven players ruled unavailable. The Springbok lock suffered a lower-limb injury during last weekend's 39-22 defeat to the Stormers and is awaiting further medical examinations to establish the extent of the problem.
Makazole Mapimpi remains sidelined with a hamstring injury, while Vusi Moyo sustained a shoulder injury against the Stormers. Fez Mbatha, Hendre Stassen, Phepsi Buthelezi and Yaw Penxe are also on the injury list.
Moyo's absence adds to the importance of having Jordan Hendrikse available, particularly with Siya Masuku not included in either the touring squad or the list of injured players. Hendrikse and Gianni Lombard are therefore potential options to share the flyhalf responsibilities.
The Sharks will select their matchday 23 from the touring group for the clash against Lyon, who won the Challenge Cup in 2022. The Durban outfit lifted the trophy in 2024 and will be looking to make a strong start to their European campaign.
With reinforcements potentially arriving as the tour progresses, Pietersen has the opportunity to rotate his squad while managing workloads and giving returning players valuable game time.
The trip concludes against Munster in Ireland at the end of October, following the encounter with Cardiff in Wales.
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