In a massive boost to the struggling West Wallians, 50-cap Wales lock Ball is in line to make his second debut for the club having not featured since his return to the region from a four-year spell at Japanese side Green Rockets Tokatsu.
Tongan international Lousi returns having missed the last two fixtures against Lions and Bulls with a muscular injury picked up on the opening day defeat against Munster at Parc y Scarlets.
Prop Kemsley Mathias, and wing Tom Rogers also return from the treatment room as Peel’s side face a team only three points and two places above them in the table. Scarlets currently are bottom of the URC having played one game less and like Sharks, have yet to taste success.
Still without several first-teamers including captain Josh Macleod, Peel is looking forward to being able to bring the experience of Lousi and Ball into the fray after loan players Harvey Cuckson and Alex Groves made debuts in Johannesburg.
“A couple of the guys are back in contention this week,” said Peel in his pre-match press conference.
“Sam Lousi is one of them, Jake Ball, Tom Rogers and Kemsley Mathias are all back from injury.
“That’s four guys we’ve got back, pretty big players for us. Not only do they influence positions, but they also have an effect on the people around them as well.
“It gives a level of confidence when you know in the trenches you have the caliber of people like Sam and Jake around the group.
“We haven’t got Ryan [Elias] who is still at home, Josh Macleod, Eddie James, Max Douglas etc, but of the squad that travelled with us, but those guys are available to us this week.”
Scarlets, last time out, despite creating chances early, were punished for not being clinical in the loss against Lions last weekend.
Peel feels that a lack of execution, and consistency in selection through the multitude of injuries have impacted on his side’s start to the campaign.
The Scarlets boss believes his side will improve with the returnees this weekend but acknowledges that against a strong Sharks squad, boasting Springbok internationals aplenty, they will have to be at their best to get anything out of the game.
“The boys are obviously disappointed from the game on the weekend,” continued Peel.
“I felt we were right in it for 60/70 minutes and even towards the end we were squeezing them in a few areas.
“When you look at the game in general, it was probably the first 15 minutes where we had two golden opportunities to score a try which we didn’t quite get over the line.
“It would have put some separation between us and the Lions, and to be fair, they took their chances after a few lapses.
“I felt we took a step forward from the Stormers game, but ultimately, we weren’t quite as cohesive as we would have liked and gave up those two opportunities.
“There is an air of frustration after the game because I felt we were competing and hurt ourselves not finishing those tries early.
“There is a bit of disappointment from ourselves. The first three games we have played cohesion has played a big part in it.
“We haven’t been able to have a consistent team on the field with a lot of chopping and changing from injuries in key positions. Also, the loss of leaders in the team – the likes of Sam [Lousi], Ryan Elias, Josh Macleod and Max Douglas who are big players for us.
“It is a massive challenge; the Sharks have already named their side which has 30 Springboks in it. What a challenge and opportunity for us to give it a real go this weekend.
“They are a dangerous team; you only have to look at the lineup on a piece of paper to see they are capable of outstanding things.
“I think the challenge for us this week is to be eclectic. They have some powerful and exciting individuals and have some athletic ability as well. It is similar to what you see from any South African side.
“If we can fight for each other, that will be massive for us. We had a really close game with them last season where we were right in the hunt till the last couple of minutes.
“But if you give individuals time and space, they are going to punish you.
“There are some areas of the game we need to improve undoubtably, but I think we need to embrace and go and play and not go into our shells in terms of the way we want to play.
“It’s a good opportunity this week and then we’ve a couple of weeks to sort things and move forward to what is a really exciting second block for us.”
[Lead image: Scarlets Rugby]
