Time to double up at Kings Park

It’s double the fun, double the excitement, as two Hollywoodbets Sharks teams take on Saracens and the Airlink Pumas in Friday evening’s double-header bill at Hollywoodbets Kings Park.

The rugby action features the Sharks XV in their final pool clash of the Carling Currie Cup and a warm-up match against Saracens as the curtain-raiser, promising an all-out action spectacular for the fans.

There have been change-ups in both squads, with many Vodacom United Rugby Championship players and even a few Springboks thrown into the mix across the two teams.

The hit-out against Saracens will feature many of the usual suspects from the Currie Cup in the curtain-raiser to the clash against the visiting Pumas with the team comprised of a mix of players featured in both squads.

There are also a number of new faces with Paarl-born front row twins Kayden and Cohen Kiewit packing down on either side of hooker Willem van der Hever. The pair are teammates this time round, having scrummed against each other in the Varsity Cup for UJ and CUT.

Certainly, the likes of Jason Jenkins and Tino Mavesere amongst the forwards and later Lukhanyo Am off the bench will provide calm heads and guidance to the relatively young team.

Although there is no distinct difference between the two teams, the Sharks XV team that faces off against the Pumas does include more experience, particularly amongst the loose-forward trio where Manu Tshituka, Vincent Tshituka and Phepsi Buthelezi pack down at the back of the scrum.

Nearly four hours of rugby action featuring close on 50 Hollywoodbets Sharks stars and up-and-coming young talent across two big games promises to be an evening worth savouring.

The early game against Saracens kicks off at 4pm, with the Carling Currie Cup clash following at 7.10pm.

Hollywoodbets Sharks XV starting XV: 15 Yaw Penxe, 14 PK Sobahle, 13 Diego Apollis, 12 Francois Venter, 11 Paschal Ekeji; 10 Siya Masuku, 9 Jaden Hendrikse; 8 Phepsi Buthelezi, 7 Vincent Tshituka (capt), 6 Manu Tshituka; 5 Emile van Heerden, 4 Batho Hlekani; 3 Lee-Marvin Mazibuko, 2 Fez Mbatha, 1 Phatu Ganyane. Replacements: 16 Jacques Marais, 17 Dian Bleuler, 18 Mawande Mdanda, 19 Deon Slabbert, 20 Nick Hatton, 21 Ceano Everson, 22 Jean Smith, 23 Jaco Williams.

Airlink Pumas starting XV: 15 Stefan Coetzee, 14 Lundi Msenge, 13 Sango Xamlashe, 12 Wian van Niekerk, 11 Darren Adonis; 10 Clinton Swart, 9 Ross Braude; 8 Willie Engelbretcht, 7 Ruwald van der Merwe, 6 Ntsika Fisanti; 5 Tiaan de Klerk, 4 Hanno Theunissen; 3 Sampie Swiegers, 2 Eduan Swart, 1 Dewald Maritz. Replacements: 16 Darnelle Osugwu, 17 Etienne Janeke, 18 Junior Banda, 19 JJ Scheepers, 20 Andre Fouche, 21 Russwill Fredricks, 22 Danrich Visagie, 23 Andre Kota.

---

Hollywoodbets Sharks Invitational starting XV: 15 Hakeem Kunene, 14 Aiden de Villiers, 13 Christie Grobbelaar, 12 Albie Bester, 11 Jaco Williams; 10 Jean Smith, 9 Tiaan Fourie; 8 Jannes Potgieter, 7 Matt Romao, 6 Tino Mavesere (capt); 5 Deon Slabbert, 4 Jason Jenkins; 3 Cohen Kiewit, 2 Willem van der Hever, 1 Kayden Kiewit. Replacements: 16 Jacques Marais, 17 Dian Bleuler, 18 Dian Heunis, 19 Gideon Koegelenberg, 20 Meno Barnard, 21 Coetzee le Roux, 22 Ceano Everson, 23 Chris Horak, 24 Lukhanyo Am.