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Sharks can't wait to take a bite out of the Lions

Writer's picture: Sharks RugbySharks Rugby

The Hollywoodbets Sharks XV will look to get their exciting 2024 Carling Currie Cup campaign off to a winning start when they host the Fidelity ADT Lions at Hollywoodbets Kings Park on Friday evening (5.15pm kick-off).

This year’s Premier Division tournament sees eight teams competing, the Hollywoodbets Sharks XV joined by 2023 champions Toyota Free State, the Vodacom Blue Bulls, DHL Western Province, Fidelity ADT Lions, Suzuki Griquas, Airlink Pumas and Novavit Griffons.

Former Sharks and Springbok star JP Pietersen has been named head coach for this season’s tournament which extends into September, naming No 8 Nic Hatton as his captain for the opening round.

Missing a number of Springboks in the squad ahead of the international season, Pietersen has balanced regular faces with an exciting group of young players he has coached at junior level over the last couple of years and who are now given the opportunity to make the step up into the senior ranks.

There has been a lull in rugby action recently after the conclusion of the Vodacom United Rugby Championship and the title-winning Challenge Cup but the team is excited to get stuck into this tournament, one that the South African rugby fraternity holds dear to their hearts and there is a commitment to do the tournament and the franchise proud in 2024.

There is an immensely rich history seated in the Currie Cup, with the Hollywoodbets Sharks XV boasting a proud list of achievements since that historic first title in 1990, followed by a number of further trophies won in the ensuing years.


Hollywoodbets Sharks XV starting XV: 15 Hakeem Kunene, 14 Yaw Penxe, 13 Diego Appollis, 12 Murray Koster, 11 Jaco Williams; 10 Lionel Cronje, 9 Bradley Davids; 8 Nick Hatton (capt), 7 Jannes Potgieter, 6 Tino Mavesere; 5 Reniel Hugo, 4 Coetzee le Roux; 3 Khwezi Mona, 2 Daniel Jooste, 1 Abraham Reyneke. Replacements: 16 Kerron van Vuuren, 17 Phatu Ganyane, 18 Mawande Mdanda, 19 Reinier Viljoen, 20 Siya Ningiza, 21 Tiaan Fourie, 22 Alwayno Visagie, 23 Muller du Plessis.


Fidelity ADT Lions starting XV: 15 Gianni Lombard, 14 Boldwin Hansen, 13 Manuel Rass, 12 Zander du Plessis, 11 Rabz Maxwane; 10 Kade Wolhuter, 9 Nico Steyn; 8 Izan Esterhuizen, 7 Ruan Venter, 6 Jarod Cairns; 5 Ruben Schoeman, 4 Raynard Roets; 3 RF Schoeman, 2 Jaco Visagie (capt), 1 Morgan Naude. Replacements: 16 Morne Brandon, 17 SJ Kotze, 18 Heiko Pohlmann, 19 Ruhan Straeuli, 20 Renzo du Plessis, 21 Layton Horn, 22 Rynhardt Jonker, 23 Tapiwa Mafura.


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