The Cell C Sharks have landed in Hong Kong for the Natixis Cup this Saturday, February 3, laden with stars as they look to overcome Racing 92 in the fourth edition of the exhibition match.

The Sharks are the first South African Super Rugby team to play in the city and will be looking to use the Natixis Cup to ramp up their preparation for their opening match of the Super Rugby season against the Lions on February 17.

The Sharks made it to the quarterfinals of last year’s Super Rugby competition and will hit Hong Kong with the likes of future backline star Curwin Bosch and lock and tour captain Ruan Botha in tow.

Bosch made his debut for the Springboks in August of 2017, while Botha and prop Thomas Du Toit have been knocking on the door of national selection and will provide plenty of entertainment up front at the Aberdeen Sports Ground.

Perhaps the most exciting prospect of all is 21-year-old winger S’busiso Nkosi, who was nicknamed “Lomu” during high school after All Black legend Jonah Lomu for his brute strength and lightning speed.

While he has yet to make his international debut, some impressive Super Rugby and Currie Cup performances saw him added to the Springboks squad during the 2017 Rugby Championship and it seems only a matter of time before he receives higher honours.

Nkosi will be well suited to the free-flowing nature of the Natixis Cup, (the last edition in 2016 saw Racing defeat Super Rugby’s Highlanders in a 45-38 try-fest), and he will have the crowd on the edge of their seats with his exploits out wide.

While Tendai ‘The Beast' Mtawarira and South Africa-capped pair Jean-Luc du Preez and Coenie Oosthuizen are all sidelined by injuries, veteran Keegan Daniel is among a host of internationally experienced players that will be on show.

Towering lock Stephan Lewies will leave it all on the line up forward, with his no-frills approach in the second row providing the foundation for many a strong showing from the Sharks in the past.

At just 25 and with international experience already under his belt, Lewies has been hailed for his work ethic and courage and, despite what is expected to be an open contest, will be called upon to provide plenty of grunt against a stout Racing pack.

Other Sharks players with Springbok experience who will be looking to make the most of the wide expanses of the Aberdeen ground include centre Lukhanyo Am, exhilarating winger Lwazi Mvovo and hooker Chiliboy Ralepelle.

Ralepelle has played 23 tests for the Springboks and forced his way back into the side in last year’s Rugby Championship after a four-year absence from national duty for the 31-year-old, who played for the Bulls and Toulouse before joining the Sharks in 2016.

Cell C Sharks squad for the Natixis Cup:

Jeremy Ward, Thomas du Toit, Cameron Wright, Jacques Vermeulen, Mzamo Majola, Tyler Paul, Lwazi Mvovo, Curwin Bosch, Makazola Mapimpi, Lukhanyo Am, Chiliboy Ralepelle, Lubabalo Mtembu, Stephan Lewies, Franco Marais, Marius Louw, Rob du Preez, Kobus van Wyk, Ruan Botha (Captain), John-Hubert Meyer, Keegan Daniel, Garth April, Hyron Andrews, Philip van der Walt, Juan Schoeman, Sbu Nikosi, Grant Williams, Franco Marais, Marius Louw