Team Release: Clash of the Old Foes

Team Release: Clash of the Old Foes:

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.

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 Hollywoodbets Sharks, Province are also missing their regular URC 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 Hollywoodbets 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.

Saturday’s match at DHL Stadium in Cape Town kicks off at 3pm.
The Hollywoodbets Sharks

Dian Bleuler
Dan Jooste
Kabous Bezuidenhout
Bathobele Hlekani
Reniel Hugo
Tino Mavesere
Siya Ningiza
Nick Hatton (c)
Bradley Davids
Lionel Cronje
Yaw Penxe
Francois Venter
Jurenzo Julius
Eduan Keyter
Tiaan Swanepoel

Replacements

Bryce Calvert
Braam Reyneke
Mawande Mdanda
Coetzee Le Roux
Hennie Sieberhagen
Tiaan Fourie
Christie Grobbelaar
Anthony Volmink

Players not available for selection due to injury:

Diego Appollis
Lilithle Bester
Ethan Bester
Chris Horak
Janus Potgieter
Ig Prinsloo
Hakeem Kunene
Jaco Williams

The post Team Release: Clash of the Old Foes appeared first on The Sharks Durban.

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