Injury-hit Sharks recall Springbok Ethan Hooker for Thomond Park test against Munster

The Sharks have recalled Springbok centre Ethan Hooker for their URC clash with Munster at Thomond Park on Saturday, with the 23-year-old set to reach 50 appearances for the Durban franchise in international competition.

Hooker’s return comes as JP Pietersen’s side navigate a demanding three-match European tour that has already taken them through France, Wales and Ireland. Despite a lengthy injury list, the Sharks arrive in Limerick in confident mood after a series of encouraging performances on the road.

“The team is in a really good place and we’re playing some really good rugby, there’s a plan in place and everyone is just buying into it,” Hooker said. “Things are starting to align and it’s really working for us.”

Despite his relative youth, the 13-cap Springbok has grown into one of the senior voices in a youthful Sharks backline. “I love playing in this backline, the guys are still young and they just have so much energy, all they want is the ball and to do magic with it,” he added. “Some of the things they can do is almost miraculous but they manage to pull it off.”

Hooker is under no illusions about the scale of the challenge awaiting them at Thomond Park, where Munster will be eager to bounce back from a derby defeat to Leinster. “There’s no underestimating them, playing at home with their crowd behind them, the passion of the Irish fans — for us, this is one of our biggest games,” he said. “We hold Munster in high regard, we have a lot of respect for them, but we have our systems and game plan in place and we’re going to give it everything.”

The Sharks’ squad still carries considerable Springbok firepower despite an injury list that runs to 14 frontline players. Ox Nche, Jaden Hendrikse, Jason Jenkins, Manu Tshituka and Edwill van der Merwe all start, with Thomas du Toit, Vincent Tshituka and Siya Masuku offering international experience from the bench.

Among those unavailable are Andre Esterhuizen, Eben Etzebeth, Makazole Mapimpi, Phepsi Buthelezi and Trevor Nyakane, underlining the squad depth Pietersen has been forced to call upon throughout the tour.