Hlekani makes his first start for the Sharks this Currie Cup season

The Hollywoodbets Sharks XV are back on the road for the third time in four weeks as they travel to Kimberley to take on the Suzuki Griquas in a Carling Currie Cup fourth round clash against the 2022 finalists on Friday afternoon.

Tournament head coach JP Pietersen, buoyed by his team’s brave effort against the Toyota Cheetahs last weekend, has stuck with his young blood and handing Junior Springbok heavyweight Bathobele Hlekani his first start this season.

The 20-year old will be playing in his familiar role at flank, although he made his debut for the Sharks XV last year, also in week four but selected at lock.

Other changes in the backline see Bryce Calvert returning at hooker for Jacques Marais,

Deon Slabbert in for Corne Rahl at lock and Matt Romao shifting into Tino Mavesere’s position.

SA Under-20 star Ceano Everson replaces Bradley Davids at scrumhalf in the first of the backline changes, while fans get to see the NFL hopeful Paschal Ekeji, the Lesotho born, of Nigerian descent, schooled at Grey College, read for an honours degree in agriculture at Stellenbosch University where he played Varsity Rugby and back from a stint in the USA, taking over from Yaw Penxe.

The final change sees SA Sevens star, Commonwealth gold medalist and Olympic bronze Christie Grobbelaar, replacing last week’s Carling Champion of the Match Phikolomzi “PK” Sobahle on the wing.

Friday’s clash at Suzuki Stadium In Kimberley kicks off at 3pm.

Suzuki Griquas starting XV: 15 Cameron Hufke, 14 Dylan Maart, 13 Zane Bester, 12 Mnombo Zwelendaba, 11 Gurswin Wehr; 10 George Whitehead, 9 Caleb Abrahams; 8 Gustav Erlank, 7 Carel van der Merwe, 6 Carl Els; 5 Albert Liebenberg, 4 Malembe Mpofu; 3 Cebo Dlamini (capt), 2 Janco Uys, 1 Eddie Davids. Replacements: 16 Tiaan Lange, 17 Corne Lavagna, 18 IG Prinsloo, 19 Derik Pretorius, 20 Marco de Witt, 21 Bobby Alexander, 22 Zinedine Robinson, 23 Tom Nel.

Hollywoodbets Sharks XV starting XV: 15 Jaco Williams, 14 Christie Grobbelaar, 13 Diego Apollis, 12 Marnus Potgieter, 11 Paschal Ekeji; 10 Vusi Moyo, 9 Ceano Everson; 8 Nicholas Hatton (capt), 7 Bathobele Hlekani, 6 Matt Romao; 5 Deon Slabbert, 4 Gideon Koegelenberg; 3 Lee-Marvin Mazibuko, 2 Bryce Calvert, 1 Phatu Ganyane. Replacements: 16 Willem van den Hever, 17 Simphiwe Ngobese, 18 Phiwayinkosi Kubheka, 19 Coetzee Le Roux, 20 Jannes Potgieter, 21 Tiaan Fourie, 22 Jean Smith, 23 Hakeem Kunene.