Sharks start their URC prep against SWD Eagles

The Hollywoodbets Sharks will take on the SWD Eagles in the first of two pre-season warm-up matches on Friday evening, with the teams meeting in George to give the wider Durban squad a run ahead of this season’s Vodacom United Rugby Championship.

With the VURC opening round’s fixtures pitting the Hollywoodbets Sharks against the Ospreys at Hollywoodbets Kings Park on Saturday 26 September, Friday’s match against the Eagles, together with a clash against the 10Bets Lions at Ellis Park Stadium on Friday 11 September (3pm), form the pre-season hit-out schedule for the Durban side.

Head coach JP Pietersen has put together a team with a blend of experience, youth and exciting talent, a number of Carling Currie Cup players getting the opportunity at a higher level, while a handful of Under-20 players also given the chance to shine and push for inclusion in the VURC squad alongside their more senior international teammates.

Numerous Springboks, including the likes of Vincent Koch, Phepsi Buthelezi, Manu Tshituka, Ivan van Zyl, Vusi Moyo, Makazole Mapimpi and Jaden Hendrikse will bring experience and calmness to the young players who represented South Africa so proudly earlier in the year, winning the World Rugby Junior World Championship in Georgia along with their Carling Currie Cup teammates.

Former Junior Springbok, utility back Suleiman Hartzenberg who has come to Durban on loan from the DHL Stormers where the 23-year-old amassed 61 caps has been included in the match where he will feature off the bench.

Friday evening’s match kicks off at 7pm and will not be televised.

Hollywoodbets Sharks starting XV: 15 Luan Giliomee, 14 Donovan Don, 13 Litelihle Bester, 12 Jurenzo Julius, 11 Makazole Mapimpi; 10 Vusi Moyo, 9 Ivan van Zyl; 8 Nick Hatton (capt), 7 Manu Tshituka, 6 Phepsi Buthelezi; 5 Deon Slabbert, 4 Corne Rahl; 3 Vincent Koch, 2 Eduan Swart, 1 Phatu Ganyane. Replacements: 16 Nemo Roelofse, 17 Ethan Bester, 18 Hanro Jacobs, 19 Johan Momsen, 20 Thomas Dyer, 21 Matt Romao, 22 Tino Mavesere, 23 Bradley Davids, 24 Jaden Hendrikse, 25 Siya Masuku, 26 Jaco Purchase, 27 Suleiman Hartzenberg, 28 Khuthi Rasivhaga.