Masuku starts for Sharks XV against Kavaliers

The Hollywoodbets Sharks XV will host Sanlam Boland Kavaliers in Pietermaritzburg in Saturday’s penultimate pool round of this year’s Carling Currie Cup.

Boland have arrived on the scene with a bang and newly-promoted, they have shown their desire to play at a top level, demonstrating the hunger that is necessary to compete.

And compete they have.

Four out of five wins is nothing to look down on and aside from a loss to Suzuki Griquas, victories over the Airlink Pumas (away), the Vodacom Blue Bulls (home), the Fidelity ADT Lions (home) and Toyota Cheetahs (home) have propelled them to second on the log with flyhalf Danrich Visagie leading the tournament’s point-scoring record with 50.

They will come up against a motivated and fired-up Sharks XV side, fresh off a bonus point victory over old foes DHL Western Province and keen to give their ‘home’ supporters in Pietermaritzburg something to cheer about.

Carling Currie Cup head coach JP Pietersen has made six changes to the team that defeated Western Province 29-21 at Hollywoodbets Kings Park last week, three apiece amongst the backline and forwards.

Siya Masuku makes his first appearance in the tournament this year, coming in for Jean Smith at flyhalf, with the latter reverting to the bench. At wing, Paschal Ekeji is in for Jaco Williams, while Marnus Potgieter makes way for Albie Bester at inside centre.

Amongst the forwards, there are two changes to the front row, Jacques Marais replaces Liam van Wyk at hooker while Mawande Mdanda returns after playing off the bench last week, he replaces Lee-Marvin Mazibuko at tighthead prop.

The final change sees Jannes Potgieter in for Batho Hlekani who no doubt will bring his barnstorming version of physicality off the bench in the second half.

Saturday’s match at Woodburn Stadium in Pietermaritzburg kicks off at 5.10pm.

Hollywoodbets Sharks XV: 15 Hakeem Kunene, 14 Phikolomzi “PK” Sobahle, 13 Diego Apollis, 12 Albie Bester, 11 Paschal Ekeji; 10 Siya Masuku, 9 Ceano Everson; 8 Nicholas Hatton (capt), 7 Jannes Potgieter, 6 Tino Mavesere; 5 Deon Slabbert, 4 Coetzee Le Roux; 3 Mawande Mdanda, 2 Jacques Marais, 1 Phatu Ganyane. Replacements: 16 Bryce Calvert, 17 Dian Bleuler, 18 Lee-Marvin Mazibuko, 19 Bathobele Hlekani, 20 Matt Romao, 21 Tiaan Fourie, 22 Jean Smith, 23 Christie Grobbelaar.

Sanlam Boland Kavaliers: 15 James Tedder, 14 Donovan Don, 13 Erik Lambrecht, 12 Lunathi Nxele, 11 Xavier Mitchell; 10 Juan Mostert, 9 Louis Schreuder; 8 Thurlow Marsh (capt), 7 Sibusiso Sangweni, 6 Sauliegh Arendse; 5 Jurie van Vuuren, 4 Michael Benadie; 3 Dayan van der Westhuizen, 2 Sidney Tobias, 1 Wayrin Losper. Replacements: 16 HP van Schoor, 17 Mthokozisi Gumede, 18 Laurence Victor, 19 Ameer Hendricks, 20 Khwezi Mafu, 21 Godlen Masimla, 22 David Brits, 23 Domenic Smit.