Sharks add youthful exuberance to their squad to take on the Bulls

The Hollywoodbets Sharks XV have been bolstered by experience and youthful success as they negotiate their way through the Carling Currie Cup, eying the Vodacom Blue Bulls for their second round clash this Saturday.

Tournament head coach JP Pietersen did delay the introduction of some young stars for round one last week but the time is ripe for the youngsters to make the step up into Carling Currie Cup rugby and their recent achievements on the world stage will no doubt add firepower to this young Sharks team.

Jaco Williams, Simphiwe Ngobese, Matt Romao and Simphiwe ‘Vusi’ Moyo have all been included in the matchday 23, following their successes with the Junior Boks, the World Champion age group team.

Williams, with his eye for the tryline and pace to match, has been named on the wing, replacing Khuthi Rasivhaga who moves to the bench, while Ngobese covers prop and flank Romao will provide back row cover on the replacement bench.

Moyo, also on the bench, starred for the Junior Boks with his place-kicking, astute distribution and physicality, converting two tries and kicking three penalties for an individual points’ haul of 13, following his team’s 23-15 victory over the Junior All Blacks in the final. With a total of 63 points across the tournament, he emerged as the global showpiece’s top scorer.

Adding top-level experience amongst the forwards come lock Corne Rahl and flank Tino Mavesere into the starting line-up, replacing Gideon Koegelenberg and Mawande Mdanda respectively.

Tighthead prop Lee-Marvin Mazibuko is a welcome addition to the side, the 28-year old former DHL Western Province and Stormers front row forward who has returned to South Africa after a season with Racing 92 in France, starts in Mawande Mdanda’s place.

Saturday’s match at Loftus Versfeld kicks off at 5.10pm.

Vodacom Bulls starting XV: 15 Boeta Chamberlain, 14 Aphiwe Dyantyi, 13 Stedman Gans, 12 Chris Barend Smit, 11 Stravino Jacobs; 10 Jaco van der Walt, 9 Zak Burger; 8 Jeandre Rudolph, 7 Junior Pokomela, 6 Nama Xaba (capt); 5 Marvin Orie, 4 Sintu Manjezi; 3 Francois Klopper, 2 Juann Else, 1 Dylan Smith. Replacements: 16 Esethu Mnebelele, 17 Ruan Swart, 18 Jean Erasmus, 19 Dylan de Leeuw, 20 JJ Theron, 21 Steven Nel, 22 PA van Niekerk, 23 Cornel Smit.

Hollywoodbets Sharks XV starting XV: 15 Hakeem Kunene, 14 Phiko Sobahle, 13 Litelihle Bester, 12 Janco Purchase, 11 Jaco Williams; 10 Jean Smith, 9 Bradley Davids; 8 Nick Hatton (capt), 7 Jannes Potgieter, 6 Tino Mavesere; 5 Deon Slabbert, 4 Corne Rahl; 3 Lee-Marvin Mazibuko, 2 Bryce Calvert, 1 Phatu Ganyane. Replacements: 16 Jacques Marais, 17 Simphiwe Ngobese, 18 Dian Heunis, 19 Gideon Koegelenberg, 20 Matt Ramao, 21 Ceano Everson, 22 Simphiwe Moyo, 23 Albie Bester.

Vodacom Bulls v Hollywoodbets Sharks XV - Saturday @ Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria (5.10pm)

Referee: Sean Muller

Broadcast: SuperSport Rugby