Sharks to test combinations against the Lions before URC begins

The Hollywoodbets Sharks travel to 10Bet Ellis Park Stadium on Friday to take on the 10Bet Lions in the second of two Vodacom United Rugby Championship warm-up matches before the tournament kicks off a fortnight later.

Around this time, as in every previous VURC campaign, the Sharks, like the rest of the South African franchises, are limited in their selection options given the international schedule and this season is no different with the historic Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry tour currently taking place between the Springboks and All Blacks.

But Sharks head coach JP Pietersen still has a sizable pool of great talent from which to select his team, including SA Under 20 players, those who featured (and shone) in the Carling Currie Cup, as well as some familiar faces who have represented the franchise as well as the national side in the past.

There’s a strong blend of exciting youth and established senior stars that Pietersen has at his disposal and he has selected accordingly.

Corne Rahl, co-captain Phepsi Buthelezi, No 8 Manu Tshituka (who moves from the flank where he played last week), Litelihle Bester who shifts from outside centre to the wing in place of Makazole Mapimpi and Luan Giliomee are the only players retained from last week’s match against the SWD Eagles.

Despite the 66-nil victory over the team from George and the argument to retain a winning formula, Pietersen continues to test combinations and add game time to the wider playing squad that will feature in this year’s Vodacom United Rugby Championship competition.

Simphiwe Matanzima at loosehead is one such new face and he fronts up with Liam van Wyk and Hanro Jacobs, with Darrien Landsberg the fourth new face in the tight five.

Matt Romao comes into the starting line-up at flank to complete the changes in the pack, while co-captain Jaden Hendrikse and brother Jordan form the halfback pairing.

Janco Purchase will partner Suleiman Hartzenburg in the midfield and Yaw Penxe returns to complete the rotational changes for this match.

Hollywoodbets Sharks starting XV: 15 Luan Giliomee, 14 Yaw Penxe, 13 Suleiman Hartzenburg, 12 Jaco Purchase, 11 Litelihle Bester; 10 Jordan Hendrikse, 9 Jaden Hendrikse (co-captain); 8 Manu Tshituka, 7 Matt Romao, 6 Phepsi Buthelezi (co-captain); 5 Darrien Landsberg, 4 Corne Rahl; 3 Hanro Jacobs, 2 Liam van Wyk, 1 Simphiwe Matanzima. Replacements: 16 Esethu Mnebelele, 17 Phatu Ganyane, 18 Nemo Roelofse, 19 Johan Momsen, 20 Jason Jenkins, 21 Thomas Dyer, 22 Tino Mavesere, 23 Nick Hatton, 24 Ivan van Zyl, 25 Vusi Moyo, 26 Siya Masuku, 27 Khuthi Rasivhaga, 28 Zekhethelo Siyaya.