South African Sheridan Morais has been named as Kenan Sofuoglu’s replacement at Kawasaki Puccetti Racing team for the Motorland Aragon and Assen rounds of the World Supersport Championship (WorldSSP).

Sofuoglu re-injured his pelvis at the season-opening round in Australia, and was later advised to miss the second round in Thailand. Following further evaluation, the former WorldSSP champion has been declared unfit for the upcoming European rounds of the championship.

For Morais, it marks a return to an official Kawasaki ride, where in 2012 he scored his first podium and an eventual sixth overall in the championship, riding for the official Kawasaki team. His highest WorldSSP championship position is fourth, which he earned last season.

“I am extremely excited about this opportunity with Kawasaki Puccetti Racing,” said Morais. “I am really looking forward to working with Kawasaki again as a they gave me my rookie season in WorldSSP. I got some good results and my first ever podium, so I have good memories.

“The same people are still working with Kawasaki and doing a great job, bringing world titles and so on. After the strong season I had last year I am really confident to bring my experience back onto the Kawasaki and hopefully some wins and some trophies.”

Spain’s third stop of the world tour is scheduled for 14 April at the renowned Motorland Aragon circuit.