Saracens braced for Springbok-laden Sharks

IT MAY be a stretch to suggest that the Sharks’ clash with Saracens in Durban this weekend is a warm-up for next year’s Springboks versus England Test, but there will nevertheless be a host of players from both sides involved in that fixture.

- MIKE GREENAWAY

Saracens are mid-table in the English Premiership but, like the Sharks, are expected to climb the ladder now that their international players have returned from the November Test window.

The Sharks will field the likes of André Esterhuizen, Siya Kolisi, Ethan Hooker, Grant Williams, Makazole Mapimpi and Bongi Mbonambi, while Saracens welcome back heavyweight England (and British & Irish Lions) players Maro Itoje, Ben Earl, Elliot Daly, Owen Farrell and Jamie George.