Jake White has confirmed his Sharks squad to play Premiership leaders Saracens at Allianz Park in London on January 25.

"This match will provide us with the ideal opportunity to view the depth in our squad as we look to conclude our preparations ahead of the start of the Super Rugby tournament," White said on Wednesday. "It is great to have our Springboks back and available for selection. We are expecting a highly competitive match against Saracens, and are looking forward to the encounter."

Chief among the players White is keen to see in action are fly-halves Tim Swiel pivot Fred Zeilinga, with Springboks utility Patrick Lambie not playing. Lourens Adriaanse will also enjoy his first action since moving from the Cheetahs, while young centre Paul Jordaan is back in the fray after sitting out of much of last season with injury.

Speculation, meanwhile, is rife in Durban that Bismarck du Plessis will replace Keegan Daniel as captain

The Sharks, the reigning Currie Cup champions, secured the match as their first pre-season fixture ahead of the Super Rugby campaign, and White said: "Playing Saracens on the artificial turf at Allianz Park is just about the toughest match we could have organised as we conclude our preparations for the new season".

Saracens have named a 23-man squad featuring 10 South African-born players plus Namibia star Jacques Burger.

Squads

Saracens: Nick Auterac, Richard Barrington, Brad Barritt, Steve Borthwick (captain), Marcelo Bosch, Mouritz Botha, Schalk Brits, Jacques Burger, Neil de Kock, Petrus du Plessis, Nick Fenton-Wells, Jamie George, Alistair Hargreaves, Charlie Hodgson, Ernst Joubert, Justin Melck, Sam Stanley, Matt Stevens, David Strettle, Michael Tagicakibau, Duncan Taylor, Richard Wigglesworth, Chris Wyles,

Sharks: Lourens Adriaanse, Willem Alberts, Dale Chadwick, Marcell Coetzee, Kyle Cooper, Keegan Daniel, Jean Deysel, Bismarck du Plessis, Jannie du Plessis, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Adriaan Esterhuizen, Tyler Fisher, Paul Jordaan, Ryan Kankowski, Stephan Lewies, Charl McLeod, Tera Mtembu, Tendai Mtawarira, Lwazi Mvovo, Odwa Ndugane, Etienne Oosthuizen, Jacobus Reinach, Francois Steyn, Timothy Swiel, Jaco van Tonder, Heimar Williams, Fred Zeilinga.