The Sharks head to Arms Park on Friday night for a URC clash against Cardiff reinforced by five returning Springboks, with assistant coach Warren Wheatley identifying the ability to back up as crucial after last weekend's 40-33 EPCR Challenge Cup victory in Lyon.
Andre Esterhuizen is expected to resume the captaincy, with Thomas du Toit, Ox Nche, Ethan Hooker and Edwill van der Merwe all back in the selection mix after their post-Rugby Championship leave. Eben Etzebeth remains sidelined with the injury he sustained against the Stormers.
The match carries genuine log significance — the Sharks sit fifth in the URC standings, Cardiff sixth — and the Welsh side have developed into a formidable home proposition. They lost just once at Arms Park last season, with the artificial 4G surface widely regarded as a key advantage. Lewies, however, noted that the Lyon win was achieved on a similar surface, a point he believes will help rather than unsettle his teammates ahead of Friday.
Veteran lock Stephan Lewies, 34, was the elder statesman of a youthful Sharks side that came from behind to win at Stade de Gerland, and he was emphatic about the significance of the result. "That was a special victory. A win in Europe is always something to celebrate, particularly at a place like Lyon," he said. "To go to France in a hostile environment and win is a massive achievement. But sometimes when you are young you don't realise what you have achieved."
Lewies, who captained Harlequins during his seven seasons in England, pointed to the manner of the victory — sealed by a brave final pass from Zekhethelo Siyaya that sent Lilethile Bester over after the hooter — as evidence of a growing team culture. "Winning like that does bring you closer as a group. In future when we are under pressure we can look back at the times we were under pressure against Lyon and come through to win."
While the return of the Springboks strengthens Friday's selection pool, Wheatley's observation that the Lyon win reduces the urgency to rush them back reflects a broader shift in the squad's depth and confidence.