Sharks face Stormers in George as they get set for URC season

The Hollywoodbets Sharks travel to George on Friday to take on the DHL Stormers at Outeniqua Park Rugby Stadium, George for a pre-season warm-up match ahead of the upcoming Vodacom United Rugby Championship that kicks off in two weeks’ time.

Sharks head coach John Plumtree has selected a 28-man squad to travel to the Garden Route city, one that doesn’t differ too significantly from the players who were involved in last Friday night’s double-header at Hollywoodbets Kings Park.

There’s a first start this season for prop Ruan Dreyer, while Junior Bok star Bathobele Hlekani remains at lock after being selected there last week.

There’s plenty of experience spread around the team, led by No 8 Vincent Tshituka with centre Lukhanyo Am in the vice captaincy role.

The bench sees some interesting faces, including Ross Braude, the Canadian scrumhalf who hails from Bloemfontein, was schooled at Grey College, represented the Vodacom Blue Bulls at age group level before playing his senior rugby in Canada and with the Airlink Pumas as recently as this season’s Carling Currie Cup.

Also named is new recruit Edwill van der Merwe who turned out for the Springboks as recently as their test match against the Wallabies last month.

With the Springboks still immersed in the Castle Lager Rugby Championship, Plumtree has numerous Carling Currie Cup players at his disposal and fans of the Sharks will be familiar with most of the players that will be involved in this match.

Kick-off is at 6pm.

DHL Stormers starting XV: 15 Luke Burger, 14 Seabelo Senatla, 13 Wandisile Simelane, 12 Ruhan Nel (capt), 11 Leolin Zas; 10 Jurie Matthee, 9 Dewaldt Duvenage; 8 Marcel Theunissen, 7 Ben-Jason Dixon, 6 Paul de Villiers; 5 JD Schickerling, 4 Adre Smith; 3 Zachary Porthen, 2 Andre-Hugo Venter, 1 Vernon Matongo. Replacements: 16 Lukhanyo Vokozela, 17 Oliver Reid, 18 Cabous Eloff, 19 JJ Kotze, 20 Alex Groves, 21 Connor Evans, 22 Louw Nel, 23 Stefan Ungerer, 24 Clinton Swart, 25 Damian Markus, 26 Jared Africa, 27 Justin Geduld, 28 Sako Makata.

Hollywoodbets Sharks starting XV: 15 Yaw Penxe, 14 Phikolomzi “PK” Sobahle, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 Francois Venter, 11 Christie Grobbelaar; 10 Siya Masuku, 9 Jaden Hendrikse; 8 Vincent Tshituka (capt), 7 Emmanuel Tshituka, 6 Phepsi Buthelezi; 5 Jason Jenkins, 4 Bathobele Hlekani; 3 Ruan Dreyer, 2 Fez Mbatha, 1 Phatu Ganyane. Replacements: 16 Eduan Swart, 17 Dian Bleuler, 18 Lee-Marvin Mazibuko, 19 Deon Slabbert, 20 Tino Mavesere, 21 Nick Hatton, 22 Ross Braude, 23 Edwill van der Merwe, 24 Paschal Ekeji, 25 Jean Smith, 26 Hakeem Kunene, 27 Mawande Mdanda, 28 Willem van den Hever.