DRC were semi-finalists at the last Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast early last year but have not gone further than that since winning the trophy as Zaire in 1974.

After a mediocre season with Racing 92 in the French Top 14 and with the collapse of his marriage, he returned to the Sharks in 2024.

Siya Kolisi is set to leave the Sharks to return to the Stormers.

Premier League pair Mohamed Salah and Lyle Foster were match-winners as Egypt and South Africa began their Africa Cup of Nations Group B campaigns with victories in Morocco on Monday.