The Melbourne Rebels look set to blood some new faces in South Africa, with flanker Colby Faingaa staying in Melbourne.
Faingaa remained in Melbourne as the rest of the squad flew to Durban, awaiting the birth of his first child.
His absence means the Rebels could be set to field two new backrow faces against the Sharks on Sunday morning (AEDT), with Lopeti Timani also at home, suspended for four weeks for kicking.
Lock Dominic Day has also been left out of the squad with injury, leaving the Rebels with a selection conundrum in the second row.
Experienced prop Toby Smith is in contention to play in Durban, after a long layoff with a hamstring injury.
Short-term recruits Hugh Sinclair and Will Miller have been included in the trip, after being signed as injury replacements last week.
The Rebels left for Durban on Monday morning, ahead of their clash with the Sharks this Sunday and a match against the Kings a week later.
The Rebels take on the Sharks at 3:30am Sunday morning AEST, LIVE on FOX SPORTS.
SQUAD
IN: Will Miller, Ikapote Tupai, Esei Haangana, Toby Smith, Jake Schatz, Jordan Uelese, Sione Tuipulotu
OUT: Lopeti Timani, Colby Faingaa, Dom Day
Melbourne Rebels to tour South Africa
Steve Cummins
Jack Debreczeni
Tom English
Jackson Garden-Bachop
James Hanson
Esei Haangana
Reece Hodge
Mitch Inman
Marika Koroibete
Tyrel Lomax
Amanaki Mafi
Tom Moloney
Will Miller
Sefa Naivalu
Culum Retallick
Fereti Sa’aga
Jake Schatz
Hugh Sinclair
Siliva Siliva
Toby Smith
Mick Snowden
Nic Stirzaker
Ikapote Tupai
Sione Tuipulotu
Jordan Uelese
Laurie Weeks
Ben Volavola
