Connacht won't face Sharks World Cup winners on mini tour

Connacht have a decent record in South Africa, winning four of their nine games there

Connacht lock Niall Murray

Connacht lock Niall Murray says the province has become accustomed to mini-tours in South Africa and hopes to build on their impressive record there when they take on the Sharks and the Bulls over the next two weekends.

And their hopes of victory in Durban on Saturday have improved with confirmation from former Irish forwards coach John Plumtree, back in charge of the Sharks for a second time, that none of their World Cup-winning squad will be available for this game.