Sharks blend youth and experience for Pumas clash

The Carling Currie Cup – South Africa’s oldest and most prestigious rugby competition – kicks off this Friday with the Hollywoodbets Sharks XV traveling to Nelspruit to take on the Airlink Pumas in round one.

Head coach Mike Vowles has named a strong team for this opening clash.

This is a side that blends top-flight experience with youthful exuberance as he looks to kick off the tournament with a squad well-suited to the demands of this tournament, selecting No 8 Thomas Dyer to lead the team.

“We’ve added more experience and depth to the squad for this year’s Carling Currie Cup, so we did some homework and brought in guys we felt would really add value, both from a leadership point of view, as well as game time and experience,” Vowles explained.

“Johan Momsen has been playing in America and also has experience of playing in New Zealand’s NPC, while we brought Tim Swiel in because we felt he can brings in organisation and control from the flyhalf position.

“This is an exciting group of guys who have had Currie Cup exposure as well as experience at Vodacom United Rugby Championship level, and youngsters who are keen to break through and make a mark in the competition.”

Friday evening’s match against the Airlink Pumas at Mbombela Stadium kicks off at 5pm.

Hollywoodbets Sharks XV starting XV: 15 Chijindu Okonta, 14 Christie Grobbelaar, 13 Marnus Potgieter, 12 Janco Purchase, 11 Lyle Matthews; 10 Tim Swiel, 9 Ross Braude; 8 Thomas Dyer (capt), 7 Jannes Potgieter, 6 Willem van den Hever; 5 Deon Slabbert, 4 Johan Momsen; 3 Simphiwe Ngobese, 2 Kerron van Vuuren, 1 Cameron Dawson. Replacements: 16 Jacques Marais, 17 Jaco du Toit, 18 Lee-Marvin Mazibuko, 19 Sipho Nonyalela, 20 Hanu Pieterse, 21 Ceano Everson, 22 Chris Horak, 23 Matthew Fortuin, 24 Dian Heunis, 25 Zack Meyer, 26 Meno Barnard.

Volkswagen and The Sharks representatives together at the official vehicle handover at Kings Park Stadium. From the left: Rory Duncan (Sharks), Novashni Chetty (Sharks), Bridget Harpur (VW), Stuart Daniels (VW), Phepsi Buthelezi (Sharks), Trevor Nyakane (Sharks), Jordan Hendrikse (Sharks), JP Pieterson (Sharks), Vinesh Ramchander (VW), Ryan Blumrick (VW), Minal Patel (Sharks) and Nick Byrne (Sharks).

Meanwhile, Volkswagen has joined The Sharks as official vehicle partner in a new three-year partnership, uniting two of South Africa's most iconic brands through a shared commitment to performance, precision and excellence and inspiring passionate supporters.

For 75 years, Volkswagen has engineered vehicles built to perform - combining precision, innovation and confidence on every journey. For decades, The Sharks have built a proud rugby legacy defined by resilience, determination and the relentless pursuit of excellence. Different arenas. The same mindset. As official vehicle partner, Volkswagen will support The Sharks throughout the season, from preparation and training to match days, helping to keep the club moving forward, both on and off the field.

"As Volkswagen celebrates 75 years in South Africa as 'The People's Car', our partnership with The Sharks reflects our ongoing commitment to the people, communities and sporting institutions that bring South Africans together,” said Bridget Harpur, Head of Marketing of the Volkswagen Passenger Cars Brand.

“This partnership is about far more than providing vehicles. It brings together two brands that believe performance is earned through dedication, teamwork and the relentless pursuit of excellence. Rugby has an incredible ability to unite and inspire South Africans and we're excited to support The Sharks, engage with supporters and create memorable experiences over the next three seasons."

Shaun Bryans, CEO for The Sharks added: "We are delighted to welcome Volkswagen to The Sharks family as our official vehicle partner. As one of South Africa's most trusted brands and we're proud to have Volkswagen’s valued support backing our club, particularly from an organisation that shares our commitment to performance, innovation and passion. We look forward to building an exciting partnership together over the next three years."

As the new season kicks off, Volkswagen and The Sharks embark on a shared journey, driven by performance, united by passion and focused on bringing supporters even closer to the club and the game. While The Sharks will inspire on the field, Volkswagen will play an integral role behind the scenes, supporting the people and preparation behind every performance.

The Sharks are also proud to announce a landmark new partnership with Reebok, the iconic sports culture brand, as it returns as the club's official technical apparel partner.

The partnership marks the return of a longstanding relationship built on shared history, values and a deep connection with Sharks fans. Reebok has been part of The Sharks' journey for many years, and this renewed collaboration signals an exciting new chapter as both brands look toward the future.

As part of the partnership, The Sharks will introduce an all-new premium merchandise offering designed to elevate the fan experience while further establishing the club as a leading sports and lifestyle brand.

The collection will feature premium performance and lifestyle apparel that combines Reebok's heritage in sport with The Sharks' bold identity, rich history and ambition.

Aligned with the partnership, The Sharks' iconic retail destination, The Shark Cage, is currently undergoing an exciting transformation and will officially relaunch on 6 August. The reimagined retail experience will offer fans a modern destination that reflects the evolution of The Sharks while showcasing a premium selection of apparel and merchandise.

The announcement marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for The Sharks, with several key initiatives set to launch throughout August as the club continues to strengthen its identity, deepen its connection with supporters and build for the future.

Michael Leslie, Chief Growth Officer at The Sharks, said: "We are incredibly excited to welcome Reebok back into The Sharks family. This partnership carries significant heritage and meaning for our supporters and we are proud to reunite with a brand that has played an important role in our story.

"Our vision is to continue building The Sharks into a globally recognised sports and lifestyle brand and it's important that we partner with brands that share that ambition. Reebok's rich heritage, authenticity and ability to seamlessly bridge performance and lifestyle perfectly aligns with where we're headed.

"Our fans are at the heart of everything we do, and we are committed to delivering merchandise that reflects our journey, celebrates our heritage and represents the Next Wave we are building together. The new Shark Cage experience and premium apparel collection will be an important part of that vision."

John Carden, CEO of Sports Hub Group, teamwear partner for Reebok, said: "Today marks an exciting milestone for Reebok Teamsports as we announce our partnership with The Sharks. This collaboration brings together two iconic brands united by a shared commitment to performance, innovation and inspiring the next generation of athletes and fans.

"The Sharks are one of the most respected and passionately supported clubs in world rugby and we're proud to equip the team with high-performance apparel designed to meet the demands of the modern game while celebrating the club's unique identity. Together, we're creating a partnership that will inspire confidence on the field and strengthen connections with supporters off it."