Gaffie du Toit was the big casualty when Natal Sharks coach Rudolf Straeuli on Tuesday named a 22-man squad for Friday's Top Eight game in the Currie Cup competition against Griquas in Durban.

The big utility back has been very subdued at fullback in Saturday's nail-biting victory over the Blue Bulls in Pretoria and his axing doesn't come as a complete surprise. Du Toit has been battling with injuries this season and it seems his recent two games for the Natal Merit 'A' side didn't help much.

The man who is regarded by many experts as the best flyhalf in the country is now clearly at the crossroads. He has battled with his confidence since he was controversially blamed by then Springbok coach Nick Mallett for the national side's big defeat to New Zealand in Dunedin in 1999.

Since that disastrous day Du Toit has only occasionally showed glimpses of his true potential, notably in his 30 minutes at flyhalf for the Sharks in the Super 12 game earlier this year against the Cats. It is, however, time for the player to shake off the mental shackles and start playing to his abilities again. South African rugby cannot afford such a prodigious talent to go to waste.

Du Toit will play for the 'A' side against the Lions and should use this game as an opportunity to regain his confidence. Springbok loosehead prop Ollie le Roux is still out in the cold. Official word from the Natal camp is that Le Roux is being rested, but he felt the wrath of coach Straeuli after the Sharks' unexpected defeat to the Cheetahs and was axed from the 22-man squad for last week's game against the Bulls.

This time the South African under-21 prop Brendan Botha is preferred to Le Roux. Regular tighthead prop Etienne Fynn sustained a rib injury against the Bulls and he was not considered. Deon Carstens is expected to start, with young Botha on the substitutes' bench.

Captain Mark Andrews is still out with a shoulder injury. Flank Bard Macleod-Henderson has a badly cut face and was also not considered. Lightning quick wing Clark Manuel is back in the squad after scoring four tries for the 'A' side against the Blue Bulls 'A'.

Natal Sharks squad: Backs: Justin Swart, Stefan Terblanche, Clark Manuel, Rodger Smith, Andre Snyman, Deon Kayser, Trevor Halstead, Herkie Kruger, Craig Davidson, Dave von Hoesslin. Forwards: Brendan Botha, Warren Britz, Warren Brosnihan, Deon Carstens, Eduard Coetzee, Philip Smit, Shaun Sowerby, John Smit (capt), Lukas van Biljon, Albert van den Berg, Charl van Rensburg, AJ Venter.