The Hollywoodbets Sharks continue their focus on youth development in the Carling Currie Cup by selecting a largely inexperienced squad for their opening match against the ADT Fidelity Lions in Johannesburg on Saturday. Captain Nick Hatton, who steered the team to the top of the league phase last season before URC players returned for the knockouts, will lead again with Bradley Davids as his vice-captain.
Aside from fullback Hakeem Kunene, who featured in the Investec Champions Cup last year, and Deon Slabbert, a senior debutant from the last URC season, few players in the starting XV have significant Sharks experience. Seven players will make their Currie Cup debuts in the matchday 23, including openside flanker Sphephelo Mbonambi, left wing Khuti Rasihaga, inside center Ranco Purchase, and replacements Liam van Wyk, Khule Mthimkulu, Drico Marx, and Chijindu Okonta.
The Sharks do have front-row experience on the bench with Dian Bleuler and former DHL Western Province prop Lee-Marvin Mazibuko. Although this fixture is a rematch of last year’s final between the two teams, Sharks coach JP Pietersen is cautious, describing the game as a challenge for his young squad to test themselves against a likely more experienced Lions side. “We’re excited for the campaign. We have a young group, but there is experience in Nick Hatton and Bradley Davids, and hopefully they will grow and get even better,” Pietersen said, referring to two of the three standout young Sharks from last season, alongside center Jurenzo Julius.
Julius is expected to feature less in Currie Cup action this year, having secured a more regular spot in the URC squad, as Sharks management looks to manage player workload across competitions now aligned with the northern hemisphere season. In the coming weeks, the Sharks will also welcome back several young players fresh from the Junior Boks’ World Rugby Under-20 Championship victory. The players in Johannesburg will be eager to impress and maintain their spot in contention for URC selection when the competition restarts in September.
HOLLYWOODBETS SHARKS XV
Starting XV: Hakeem Kunene, Phiko Sobahle, Litelihle Bester, Janco Purchase, Khuti Rasivhaga, Jean Smith, Bradley Davids, Nick Hatton (captain), Jannes Potgieter, Sphephelo Mbonambi, Deon Slabbert, Gideon Koelenberg, Mawande Mdanda, Bryce Calvert, Phatu Ganyane.
Replacements: Liam van Wyk, Dian Bleuler, Lee-Marvin Mazibuko, Kuhle Mthimkhulu, Thomas Dyer, Tiaan Fourie, Drico Marx, Chijindu Okonta.
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