Inny Radebe has been named on the bench for the Sharks XV for their Rugby Challenge clash against Western Province in Durban on Friday.

Radebe, who played for the Sharks between 2013 and 2017, was released by the union after the arrival of Robert du Preez from Western Province in 2018.

The flyhalf was reportedly given a lifeline by the Lions, but failed a medical, which led to him ultimately playing club rugby for College Rovers at the start of this year.

Now back with the Sharks, Radebe has been named on the bench in a match-day squad led by Jeremy Ward, and includes Rhyno Smith and Lwazi Mvovo.

In other fixtures, the Vodacom Blue Bulls will take on the Griffons in a match that will see two of the leading points’ scorers in the competition so far, JT Jackson and Jaywinn Juries, match up.

The third match on Friday evening will see defending champions the Pumas host the Leopards in Nelspruit.

On Saturday, the Border Bulldogs take their home game to yet another club venue, this time the Police Rugby Club in East London, where they will face an unbeaten Boland. The Golden Lions XV host the Valke in a Gauteng derby at Ellis Park. The final match on Saturday takes place in Windhoek, where the Welwitschias and Griquas will try and claim bragging rights.

The second Rugby Festival – a unique element of the Rugby Challenge – is also due, this time at D’Almeida Stadium in Mossel Bay, with two provincial matches and a club match all part of the televised action on Sunday. SWD, as hosts, will take on Zimbabwe Academy, while the EP Elephants and Free State XV will play in the earlier encounter of the afternoon.

Round 3 fixtures: 

Sharks XV vs Western Province (Durban, Friday, 4pm)

Blue Bulls vs Griffons (Pretoria, Friday, 4:50pm)

Pumas vs Leopards (Nelspruit, Friday, 7pm)

Golden Lions XV vs Valke (Johannesburg, Saturday, 12pm)

Border vs Boland (East London, Saturday, 3:30pm)

Welwitschias vs Griquas (Windhoek, Saturday, 4pm)

EP Elephants vs  Free State XV (Mossel Bay, Sunday, 12pm)

SWD Eagles vs Zimbabwe Academy (Mossel Bay, Sunday, 2pm)

Photo: Steve Haag/Gallo