The injury-hit Hurricanes have called in a group of rookie reinforcements as they begin the new Super Rugby season with a tough two-match schedule in South Africa.
The Hurricanes fly out of Wellington on Saturday without loose forwards Victor Vito and Brad Shields, prop Reggie Goodes, midfielder Tim Bateman and winger Matt Proctor, who are all in the casualty ward.
Coach Mark Hammett has brought in loose forward Adam Hill, props Brendon Edmonds and Chris Eves, and centre Cardiff Vaega in a 27-man tour party.
The Hurricanes, skippered by centre Conrad Smith, begin their campaign against the Sharks in Durban next weekend, before travelling to Cape Town to face the Stormers.
They ended their pre-season program with a 41-15 defeat at the hands of the Crusaders in Levin on Friday night.
Hurricanes South African squad:
Forwards - Mark Abbott, James Broadhurst, Dane Coles, Ben Franks, Jack Lam, Faifili Levave, Motu Matuu, Mark Reddish, Ardie Savea, John Schwalger, Blade Thomson, Jeremy Thrush, Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, Brendon Edmonds, Chris Eves, Adam Hill.
Backs - Beauden Barrett, Marty Banks, Cory Jane, Alapati Leiua, James Marshall, Hadleigh Parkes, TJ Perenara, Julian Savea, Conrad Smith, Chris Smylie, Cardiff Vaega.
