Durban the Force's new 'home'

Western Force coach John Mitchell has decided to base his team in Durban during their three-match Super 14 tour of South Africa.

Western Force coach John Mitchell has decided to base his team in Durban during their three-match Super 14 tour of South Africa.

The Perth-based side will open their season against last year's beaten finalists, the Sharks, in Durban on Friday – before meeting the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein and the Lions at Ellis Park in Johannesburg.

Mitchell, who on Monday named a 26-strong squad for the 19-day tour of South Africa, said they will be based in Durban for the bulk of the tour – preferring to fly into Bloemfontein and Johannesburg the day before the matches.

South Africa has been a happy hunting ground for the Force, with only one loss in five matches in the past two years.

Mitchell has covered all his bases for the gruelling trip to South Africa, naming a squad that consists of 15 forward and 11 backs.

The desire for new recruit Tamaiti Horua to also make the trip has been temporarily thwarted by a lack of clearance from his previous Japanese employers.

The Force are still attempting to rubber stamp Horua's clearance from the Toyota club, and he could join the tour later.

Youngsters Sam Wykes and Tom Hockings will make the trip, alongside Sitaleki Timani, who has been given special clearance to play in Super 14 by the ARU despite not yet completing his three-year patriation requirement.

Injury plagued Lachlan MacKay is also in the travelling party, as well as young scrumhalf deputy James Stannard.

The squad will depart for South Africa on Tuesday.

Western Force: Richard Brown, Pek Cowan, Ryan Cross, Nick Cummins, Scott Daruda, Scott Fava, Matt Giteau (vice-captain), Gareth Hardy, Matt Henjak, Tom Hockings, Matt Hodgson, Luke Holmes, Lachlan MacKay, Tai McIsaac, Drew Mitchell, David Pocock, David Pusey, Haig Sare, Nathan Sharpe (captain), Cameron Shepherd, Scott Staniforth, James Stannard, Troy Takiari, Sitaleki Timani, AJ Whalley, Sam Wykes.