Warren Whiteley: Sharks banking on squad depth to fill Springbok void against Lyon

Forwards coach Warren Whiteley expressed the Sharks' "obvious excitement" about competing in the Challenge Cup this year. This includes a crucial upcoming match against Lyon in France on Saturday, starting at 2pm. The teams have only faced each other once before, with Lyon defeating the second-string Sharks side in a 34-21 victory during the 2024/25 tournament, which saw the Durban outfit eliminated in the last-16.

Although the Sharks are set to rest most of their Springbok players for this encounter, Whiteley remains optimistic, stating that the team is in a "good mental space" ahead of the match. He highlighted the opportunity for several players to get their chance and emphasized that the Sharks are enthusiastic about being back in the European Professional Club Rugby (EPCR) competition.

Lyon, a past winner of the tournament in 2022, is known for its physicality, powerful pack, focus on set-piece play, and dangerous backs, making for a formidable opponent.

Furthermore, Whiteley predicted a fast-paced game due to the match being held on a synthetic 4G pitch, which he finds exciting. The Sharks have adapted well to the travel, recovering from their previous games and engaging in light gym sessions. The coach also noted that France's weather is expected to be favorable, with no significant issues anticipated for the game.

Whiteley specifically wants to see improvement in the Sharks' scrums, after they suffered a significant defeat to the Stormers in their last game.