Davids debuts as Lions welcome defending Currie Cup champs to Joburg

In what will be a repeat of last year’s nail-biting Carling Currie Cup final at Ellis Park, the Fidelity ADT Lions host current holders the Hollywoodbets Sharks in Johannesburg on Saturday. Kick-off at Ellis Park Stadium is at 3pm.

Head coach Mziwakhe Nkosi has shown intent by naming a strong match 23 for his side’s first outing of the campaign which sees the format reduced to a single round compared to the home and away arrangement last season. Ironically, the two teams met in the opening round of last year’s competition in Durban with the Johannesburg side sneaking victory by a single point (26-25)

On display this Saturday will be Lions’ new recruit Angelo Davids, who makes his debut after making a move from the Western Cape in June. The burly winger will want to make an impressive start for his new-found side against a new-look Sharks outfit announced earlier this week.

Jaco Visagie has been tasked with leading the team, a familiar role for the 33-year-old which saw him guide his to the final in 2024. Elsewhere, Lubabalo Dobela leads the attack on the weekend at No 10 with experienced winger Sibahle “Rabz” Maxwane returning to the fold after an ankle injury kept him on the sidelines for nearly four months. Gianni Lombard occupies the last line of defence at fullback; a position not strange to him having played there early in his career.

Speaking to the media, Nkosi touched on adapting to the new format and how important it is to gather as many points as possible from the get-go.

“The new format is challenging. It’s not like last year’s format or previous years. It’s very close to a World Cup format in terms of the number of games you play, so one needs to get onto the green as quick as you can,” he said.

“It’s important for us to have a good start in these two home games and cash in as much as we can in terms of points and wins before we travel for three away games.”

Describing his squad for this year’s campaign, Nkosi believes it will be an opportunity for some members of his group to make a name for themselves when the occasion arises.

“We’ve got a quite a mixed group for this campaign. We have guys who didn’t get much game time in last year’s Vodacom United Rugby Championship so there’s an opportunity there to expose them and provide enough playing time, coupled with the a few junior players who too will grab their opportunity as the competition progresses,” he concluded.

Fidelity ADT Lions starting XV: 15 Gianni Lombard, 14 Angelo Davids, 13 Manuel Rass, 12 Rynhardt Jonker, 11 Rabz Maxwane; 10 Lubabalo Dobela, 9 Nico Steyn; 8 WJ Steenkamp, 7 Izan Esterhuizen, Jarod cairns; 5 Darrien Landsberg, 4 Raynard Roets; 3 RF Schoeman, 2 Jaco Visagie (capt), 1 Morgan Naude. Replacements: 16 Morne Brandon 17 SJ Kotze, 18 Heiko Pohlmann, 19 Dylan Sjoblom, 20 Renzo du Plessis, 21 Layton horn, 22 Kade Wolhuter, 23 Kelly Mpeku.

Hollywoodbets Sharks XV starting XV: 15 Hakeem Kunene, 14 Phiko Sobahle, 13 Litelihle Bester, 12 Janco Purchase, 11 Khuthi Rasivhaga; 10 Jean Smith, 9 Bradley Davids; 8 Nick Hatton (capt), 7 Jannes Potgieter, 6 Sphephelo Mbonambi; 5 Deon Slabbert, 4 Gideon Koegelenberg; 3 Mawande Mdanda, 2 Bryce Calvert, 1 Phatu Ganyane. Replacements: 16 Liam van Wyk, 17 Dian Bleuler, 18 Lee-Marvin Mazibuko, 19 Kuhle Mthimkhulu, 20 Thomas Dyer, 21 Tiaan Fourie, 22 Drico Marx, 23 Chijindu Okonta.

Fidelity ADT Lions v Hollywoodbets Sharks XV - Saturday @ Ellis Park, Johannesburg (3pm)

Referee: Dylen November

Broadcast: SuperSport Rugby