The Hollywoodbets Sharks hit the road for the last time in the pool stages of the Carling Currie Cup competition when they head to Cape Town on Saturday to take on DHL Western Province in a highly anticipated coastal derby from 3pm at DHL Stadium.
The two teams have met numerous times over the years and the fixture never fails to excite as the two old foes go head-to-head in this year’s competition for the first time this season, having last met in June 2023.
Like the Sharks, Province are also missing their regular United Rugby Championship players and have a young side competing in this year’s tournament but haven’t quite hit their stride in the way the Durban side has of late.
With two wins from their seven fixtures, Province are fighting for a top four finish and will have to rely on both some good personal form and a few upsets as they chase their way from sixth spot, seven points behind the Sharks who have climbed into fourth place on the log, their surge coming off the back of three wins and a draw from their last four matches.
Head coach JP Pietersen has made four changes to his backline, starting with scrumhalf Bradley Davids in for Jaden Hendrikse who has linked up with the Springboks after getting back to match fitness in the Currie Cup.
A new and imposing centre pairing of Francios Venter and Jurenzo Julius replaces last week’s midfield du of Alwayno Visagie and Lili Bester respectively, while Tiaan Swanepoel comes in for Hakeem Kunene at fullback.
There is just one change to the pack, where Siya Ningiza takes over from the impressive Jannes Potgieter, who has enjoyed a stellar debut season at flank.
DHL Western Province starting XV: 15 JC Mars, 14 Courtnall Skosan, 13 Luke Burger, 12 Joshua Boulle, 11 Angelo Davids; 10 Jurie Matthee, 9 Dewaldt Duvenage; 8 Willie Engelbrecht (capt), 7 Louw Nel, 6 Paul de Villiers; 5 Andre Goedhals, 4 Enos Ndiao; 3 Zachary Porthen, 2 Scarra Ntubeni, 1 Veronon Matongo. Replacements: 16 JJ Kotze, 17 Mhleli Khuzwayo, 18 Corne Weilbach, 19 Hendre Stassen, 20 Sibusiso Sangweni, 21 Divan Fuller, 22 Imad Khan, 23 Kyle Smith.
Hollywoodbets Sharks starting XV: 15 Tiaan Swanepoel, 14 Eduan Keyter, 13 Jurenzo Julius, 12 Francios Venter, 11 Yaw Penxe; 10 Lionel Cronje, 9 Bradley Davids; 8 Nick Hatton (capt), 7 Siya Ningiza, 6 Tino Mavesere; 5 Reniel Hugo, 4 Bathobele Hlekani; 3 Kabous Bezuidenhout, 2 Dan Jooste, 1 Dian Bleuler. Replacements: 16 Bryce Calvert, 17 Braam Reyneke, 18 Mawande Mdanda, 19 Coetzee le Roux, 20 Hennie Sieberhagen, 21 Tiaan Fourie, 22 Christie Grobbelaar, 23 Anthony Volmink.
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