KEVIN Putt, the new Sharks mentor, promised that he would field his strongest combination for the home Super 12 rugby match against The Cats at the Absa Stadium on May 11.
But with injury worries in respect of centres Trevor Halstead and Andre Snyman and lock Mark Andrews now a thing of the past he may advance that by a week.
All three have been named in the squad to face the Bulls at Loftus on Saturday.
Also there is a promotion for promising scrumhalf Neil Cole who hails from Ixopo as a natural product of the Natal rugby system. He has come through the ranks of Natal Schools and the Natal Under 20 and recently has been turning out for the Wildebeest.
With Chad Alcock rested from the position, along with flanker Charl van Rensburg and lock Philip Smit it is possible that Cole may yet get a taste of Super 12 rugby as understudy to Craig Davidson who returns after missing out against the Reds last weekend.
Deon Carstens, Deon Kayser and John Smi t were not considered because of injury.
For the Bulls match Put has named the following squad to travel to Loftus.
Sharks squad:
Backs: Neil Cole, Craig Davidson, Gaffie du Toit, Trevor Halstead, Rudi Keil. Herkie Kruger, Ricardo Loubsher, Andre Snyman, Justin Swart, Stefan Terblanche
Forwards: Mark Andrews, Warren Britz, Eduard Coetzee, Etienne Fynn, Ollie Le Roux, Conrad Magiera, Brad McLeod-Henderson, Shaun Sowerby, Albert van den Berg, Wayne van Heerden, Johan van Wyk and A J Venter. – Sapa