The Sharks have withheld the bulk of their first-choice players for their trip to Lyon on Sunday (6.30pm kick-off), and it will be an accomplishment of note if they win this Challenge Cup last-16 playoff.
The only two players from last week’s starting line-up against Leinster to continue are André Esterhuizen at centre and Yaw Penxe, who moves from fullback to wing.
Lock Emile van Heerden and centre Jurenzo Julius started in the disappointing 10-7 loss to the Irishmen at the Shark Tank, and will be on the bench in the southern French city.
The almost complete overhaul of the team suggests the Sharks have put their eggs into the United Rugby Championship basket.
They will put their foot on the accelerator to achieve maximum points in their last four league games – against Edinburgh (away), Ulster (away) and then at home to the Welsh teams Ospreys and Scarlets.
The Sharks are the defending Challenge Cup champions, but it is a second-tier competition, and it is understandable if they plan to keep their big guns fresh for an assault on the elite URC title.
The top-drawer players who played against Leinster, but did not travel to France are Siya Kolisi, Bongi Mbonambi, Vincent Koch, Ox Nche, Vincent Tshituka, Manu Tshituka, Makazole Mapimpi, Jordan Hendrikse, Jaden Hendrikse, Jason Jenkins, James Venter and Ethan Hooker.
If you include two almost-fit big guns in Eben Etzebeth and Aphelele Fassi, that is 14 players who will stay behind to train in Durban for the two-match tour to northern United Kingdom.
The bench players from the Leinster game step into the starting line-up for Lyon just about en masse, with Manu Tshituka the exception.
Hooker Fez Mbatha, props Ntuthuko Mchunu and Ruan Dreyer, lock Corné Rahl, scrumhalf Bradley Davids, centre Francois Venter and flyhalf Siya Masuku are promoted to the run-on XV for Sunday.
The side will be captained by No 8 Nick Hatton, who continues his meteoric rise from club rugby to the professional ranks.
Hatton is a rising star, and scored a match-winning try in the Sharks’ “revenge” win over the Lions in Durban last month.
Lyon, on the other hand, have picked a strong side captained by former Bulls and Bok No 8 Arno Botha.
Lyon are mid-table in the Top 14 and boast current France internationals in lock Mickael Guillard and flank Dylan Cretin. Their other flank is exciting New Zealander and former Crusader Liam Allen.
In the backline, Lyon have a lethal finisher in current Italy wing Monty Ioane. The Australian-born Ioane has scored 18 tries in 39 Tests for the Azzurri.
The Sharks are going to be up against it, but defence coach Joey Mongalo remains upbeat.
“We’ve got to think about Edinburgh and Ulster in two weeks, but at the same time, we’ve got to honour a good quality competition in the Challenge Cup – and we mustn’t forget we are the defending champions,” Mongalo said.
“Even though you’re playing in two different competitions, you are still one squad.
“So, a quality performance in Lyon will give us confidence for our next fixture, against the Ospreys or Scarlets (in a Challenge Cup quarter-final) or Edinburgh (in the URC).”
Sharks Team
15 Hakeem Kunene 14 Yaw Penxe 13 Francois Venter 12 André Esterhuizen 11 Litelihle Bester 10 Siya Masuku 9 Bradley Davids 8 Nick Hatton (captain) 7 Jannes Potgieter 6 Tino Mavesere 5 Gerbrandt Grobler 4 Corné Rahl 3 Ruan Dreyer 2 Fez Mbatha 1 Ntuthuko Mchunu.
Bench: 16 Ethan Bester 17 Dian Bleuler 18 Mawande Mdanda 19 Emile van Heerden 20 Bathobele Hlekani 21 Tiaan Fourie 22 Jean Smith 23 Jurenzo Julius.