Bok flank Willem Alberts is still nursing a hamstring injury and has been left out of the Sharks' 40-man squad.

Other notable absentees are Paul Jordaan, Tonderai Chavhanga, JC Astle and Stephan Lewies, who are also still recovering from injuries. No due date has been given for their return to action. 

With the exception of Frans Steyn, JP Pietersen, Ryan Kankowski and Michael Claassens – who are still completing club commitments abroad – the entire group are training ahead of their clash with the Cheetahs this weekend. 

Apart from the familiar faces, centre Waylon Murray and Samoan wing Paul Perez made the cut, as did Renaldo Bothma and former Saracens duo Matt Stevens and Mouritz Botha. 

Sharks squad – Lourens Adriaanse, Mouritz Botha, Renaldo Bothma, Dale Chadwick, Michael Claassens, Marcell Coetzee, Kyle Cooper, Lionel Cronjé, Jean Deysel, Bismarck du Plessis, Jannie du Plessis, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Thomas du Toit, André Esterhuizen, Monde Hadebe, Conrad Hoffman, Ryan Kankowski, Pat Lambie, Khaya Majola, Franco Marais, SP Marais, Beast Mtawarira, Tera Mtembu, Lubabalo Mtyanda, Waylon Murray, Lwazi Mvovo, Odwa Ndungane, Ettienne Oosthuizen, Paul Perez, JP Pietersen, Cobus Reinach, S'bura Sithole, Matt Stevens, Frans Steyn, Stefan Ungerer, Marco Wentzel, Heimar Williams, Jack Wilson, Cameron Wright, Fred Zeilinga. 

Photo: Charlie Crowhurst/Getty Images