Beware, the Beast’s back in action

Beast Mtawarira has recovered from his injury problems and will return to the Sharks’ starting line-up for their Super Rugby match against the Highlanders in Durban tomorrow, with coach Robert du Preez hoping for the same form from their mostcapped player as he had before he was sidelined three weeks ago.

Young Juan Schoeman, who has clearly been learning a lot from the Springbok veteran and has shone in his absence, returns to the bench, where he replaces Mzamo Majola.

“It’s always great to have a player of Beast’s calibre come back and he’s been playing some of the best rugby of his career. Juan had a great game last time out against the Stormers, but it is fantastic to have Beast back,” Du Preez said after announcing the team yesterday.

The other two changes to the Sharks side that beat the Stormers 24-17 two weeks ago are also in the tight five.

The experienced lock Stephan Lewies rotates to the bench, giving Tyler Paul his third appearance in the starting XV this season, while Akker van der Merwe, the mobile, high-energy hooker, replaces Chiliboy Ralepelle.

The Springbok has been left out of the squad altogether, with the Gloucester-bound Franco Marais returning to the bench for the first time since the match against the Hurricanes in Napier at the beginning of last month.

“The bye last week was much-needed, you could see it in the players coming back really energised and we had some very good practices this week. The game is at home, so we need to win, it’s a massive game for us.

“Beating the Stormers and doing well against the other New Zealand sides we have played has certainly given us confidence, but every game is new,” Du Preez added.