Moyo makes his first start for Sharks

Round three of the Carling Currie Cup has arrived and with it, the first home game for the Hollywoodbets Sharks XV after the opening two weekends were spent on the highveld.

Taking the brand to the community, the match will be played at Sugar Ray Xulu Stadium in Clermont where the Toyota Cheetahs will find a very vocal and partisan crowd throwing all their support behind the men in Black & White.

Sharks XV head coach JP Pietersen has opted to make a few changes to his side for this week’s match, continuing along the path of giving opportunities to promising young players, while adding some experience to the backline.

Amongst the tight five, Jacques Marais comes in for Bryce Calvert at hooker and Gideon Koegelenberg starts in place of Deon Slabbert at lock.

In the final change to the pack, SA Under-20 back row forward Matt Romao replaces Jannes Potgieter at flank.

Vusi Moyo, another junior Bok fresh off his national team’s heroics gets his first start, taking over from Jean Smith at flyhalf, while Pietersen has opted for some experience around him, bringing in wing Yaw Penxe, inside centre Marnus Potgieter and outside centre Diego Appollis, with Jaco Williams shifting to fullback.

Saturday’s match kicks off at 5.10pm.

Hollywoodbets Sharks XV starting XV: 15 Jaco Williams, 14 Phiko Sobahle, 13 Diego Appollis, 12 Marnus Potgieter, 11 Yaw Penxe; 10 Vusi Moyo, 9 Bradley Davids; 8 Nick Hatton (capt), 7 Matt Ramao, 6 Tino Mavesere; 5 Corne Rahl, 4 Gideon Koegelenberg; 3 Lee-Marvin Mazibuko, 2 Jacques Marais, 1 Phatu Ganyane. Replacements: 16 Willem van den Hever, 17 Simphiwe Ngobese, 18 Dian Heunis, 19 Coetzee Le Roux, 20 Jannes Potgieter, 21 Ceano Everson, 22 Jean Smith, 23 Albie Bester.

Toyota Cheetahs starting XV: 15 James Verity-Amm, 14 Ntokozo Makhaza, 13 Carel-Jan Coetzee, 12 Franco Smith, 11 Banie Britz; 10 Clayton Blommetjies, 9 Jandre Nel; 8 Neels Volschenk, 7 Sisonke Vumazonke, 6 Daniel Maartens; 5 Victor Sekekete (capt), 4 Juan Venter; 3 Frankie Dos Reis, 2 Vernon Paulo, 1 Cameron Dawson. Replacements: 16 Louis van der Westhuizen, 17 Hencus van Wyk, 18 Aranos Coetzee, 19 Thabang Mahlase, 20 Gideon van der Merwe, 21 Rewan Kruger, 22 Ali Mgijima, 23 Ethan Wentzel.

Hollywoodbets Sharks XV v Toyota Cheetahs - Saturday @ Sugar Ray Xulu Stadium, Durban (5.10pm)

Referee: AJ Jacobs

Broadcast: SuperSport Rugby