Sharks v Edinburgh: Freddie Owsley selection adds intrigue as 'huge challenge' awaits in South Africa

Mike Blair has conjured up some inspired performances from his Edinburgh side already this season, but the head coach is aware that something verging on the miraculous may well be required if they are to beat the Sharks in Durban this afternoon.

No European team has so far won on South African soil during this inaugural URC season, with Munster having come closest in a 23-21 defeat by the Lions in Johannesburg last week. But the Lions are the lowest-placed of South Africa’s four sides, while the Sharks are the highest and have won their last four matches with bonus points.

Blair has been able to recall seven Scotland players to the ranks after their Six Nations commitments, including Hamish Watson at openside and Blair Kinghorn at stand-off, and their return will provide a significant boost to morale. But the home team have some formidable internationals in their ranks too, including the Springboks’ World Cup-winning captain Siya Kolisi, his fellow-forwards Ox Nche and Bongi Mbonambi, and winger Makazole Mapimpi.

“It’s a huge challenge - and we’ve talked about that challenge all week,” Blair said yesterday after naming his matchday 23. “It will take something special to be the first to win in South Africa this year, but we’re under no illusion about the task ahead as Sharks are a quality side, with a number of Springboks in their ranks.

“We’re very aware that it’s very different conditions to what we’ve had to play in so far this season, and likewise when the South African teams came to us you saw how they struggled a bit. We’re really focusing on the character we need to show in unfamiliar surroundings and conditions.”

Centre Mark Bennett will captain the visitors, while James Lang, Ben Vellacott, Magnus Bradbury and