Hatton leads exciting young Sharks side against the Lions

The talented Nick Hatton will lead the Hollywoodbets Sharks XV, having stepped into the leadership role last year, as the Hollywoodbets Sharks XV open their Carling Currie Cup campaign this weekend against the Fidelity ADT Lions in Johannesburg.

Head coach JP Pietersen understands the pressure that lies ahead but the former Hollywoodbets Sharks and Springbok star has exhorted his charges to stand up and fight.

“What a challenge for this young group to go up to Joburg, to test ourselves and stay in the fight.

“We’re excited for the campaign, we have a young group but there is experience in Nick Hatton, Bradley Davids and hopefully they’ll just continue to grow and get even better,” he explains.

“But with this young group of players, it’s exciting.”

While not quite a repeat of last year’s final, won by the Hollywoodbets Sharks XV, it remains an important fixture on the Carling Currie Cup calendar and Pietersen is under no illusions as to the challenge that lies ahead.

“The Lions will want to speed up the game, play fast to put us under pressure and attack us at set-piece time as well.

“They have a good kicking game, we know what to expect but we’ve prepared well for this Saturday and the challenge will be for the young men to stay in the fight and not become overwhelmed with the tempo of the Lions’ play and to handle the pressure.

“The main thing from us is to control the controllables and stay in the fight. If we can do that, we have a good opportunity. We have youth, we have hunger, we have power and if we can stay in the fight until the end, that gives us the opportunity to get a result.”

Saturday’s match at Ellis Park Stadium kicks off at 3pm.

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 *.

* denotes possible Currie Cup debut

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

Referee: Dylen November

Broadcast: SuperSport Rugby