Sharks to compete at World Club 10s
This year's edition will be held in the iconic holiday destination of Mauritius from June 18-19.
The 10-a-side invitational will again feature Super Rugby franchises and northern-hemisphere clubs in an eight-team event starting with two pools, following the format used in the inaugural World Club 10s two years ago.
The Blues, the three-time Super Rugby champions from New Zealand, beat Australia's Brumbies to win the 2014 Final in Singapore, where World Cup-winning star Piri Weepu lifted the trophy as captain.
The Mauritius event will be held at the 16 000-capacity Anjalay Stadium, just a short drive from Port Louis, the capital of the former French colony situated off the southeast coast of mainland Africa.
Clubs, universities, women's teams and age-group sides will all be invited to compete in the various supporting competitions that will be a key part of a week-long rugby festival, culminating in the World Club 10s. All of the finals will be held at the main stadium on the Sunday.
The Sharks, the four-time Super Rugby finalists who won their seventh Currie Cup title in 2013, are one of South Africa's most popular sides 
and the Durban-based franchise can expect strong support in Mauritius, a popular holiday destination for tourists from South Africa. Port Louis is just a four-hour flight from Durban.
"The Sharks are truly excited to be making our debut in the World Club 10s, especially as the tournament is held in Mauritius for the first time," said Sharks CEO John Smit.
"We heard a lot of good feedback from the first tournament, but Mauritius holds a special place for many South Africans and it excites me to know that our team will be playing there for the very first time. Mauritius is one of the world's most beautiful and exotic destinations, so it’s sure to be an amazing week for the players and all the fans who travel there."
The Sharks had seven players from their squad represent South Africa at last year's Rugby World Cup, where the Springboks reached the semifinals. Of the seven, four are in the franchise's 2016 squad – Sharks captain Patrick Lambie, wing Lwazi Mvovo and giant props Tendai Mtawarira and Coenie Oosthuizen.
The team currently have eight other players who have been capped by South Africa, including former captain Keegan Daniel and scrumhalf 
Michael Claassens, who joined last year after two seasons with Toulon.
Toulon have one of the world's most star-studded squads and will be a huge attraction in Mauritius as they make their World Club 10s debut. The club won the European Rugby Champions Cup for a third straight time last May and currently boast many of the world's best-known players.
"RC Toulon are delighted to enter the World Club 10s and are looking forward to playing this fantastic tournament in Mauritius," said Toulon head coach Bernarde Laporte.
Ma'a Nonu, the two-time World Cup-winning All Black, Wallabies Quade Cooper, Matt Giteau, Drew Mitchell and James O'Connor, South Africa icon Bryan Habana, Ireland legend Paul O’Connell, Wales fullback Leigh Halfpenny and Georgia captain Mamuka Gorgodze are among Toulon's foreign stars.
Kevin Venkiah, President of Rugby Union Mauritius added: "Rugby Union Mauritius is delighted to sanction and welcome the World Club 10s, which will be the biggest international rugby tournament Mauritius has ever hosted.
"Our local rugby community will be out in full force to support the event and will also welcome and embrace the visiting players and fans, ensuring they enjoy a week to remember."
