Sharks confirm exciting young side for Currie Cup opener
The talented Nick Hatton will lead the Hollywoodbets Sharks XV, having stepped into the leadership role last year, as the Hollywoodbets Sharks XV open their Carling Currie Cup campaign this weekend against the Fidelity ADT Lions in Johannesburg.
Head coach JP Pietersen understands the pressure that lies ahead, but the former Hollywoodbets Sharks and Springbok star has exhorted his charges to stand up and fight.
“What a challenge for this young group to go up to Joburg, to test ourselves and stay in the fight.
“We’re excited for the campaign, we have a young group, but there is experience in Nick Hatton, Bradley Davids and hopefully they’ll just continue to grow and get even better,” he explains.
“But with this young group of players, it’s exciting.”
Not quite a repeat of last year’s final, won by the Hollywoodbets Sharks XV, it remains an important fixture on the Carling Currie Cup calendar and Pietersen is under no illusions as to the challenge that lies ahead.
“The Lions will want to speed up the game, play fast to put us under pressure, and attack us at set-piece time as well.
“They have a good kicking game, we know what to expect, but we’ve prepared well for this Saturday and the challenge will be for the young men to stay in the fight and not become overwhelmed with the tempo of the Lions’ play, and to handle the pressure.
“The main thing from us is to control the controllables and stay in the fight. If we can do that, we have a good opportunity. We have youth, we have hunger, we have power and if we can stay in the fight until the end, that gives us the opportunity to get a result.”
Saturday’s match at Ellis Park Stadium kicks off at 3pm.
Hollywoodbets Sharks XV
1 Phatu Ganyane, 2 Bryce Calvert, 3 Mawande Mdanda, 4 Gideon Koegelenberg, 5 Deon Slabbert, 6 Sphephelo Mbonambi *, 7 Jannes Potgieter, 8 Nick Hatton (Capt.), 9 Bradley Davids (VC), 10 Jean Smith, 11 Khuthi Rasivhaga *, 12 Janco Purchase *, 13 Litelihle Bester, 14 Phiko Sobahle, 15 Hakeem Kunene.
Replacements
16 Liam van Wyk *, 17 Dian Bleuler, 18 Lee-Marvin Mazibuko, 19 Kuhle Mthimkhulu *, 20 Thomas Dyer, 21 Tiaan Fourie, 22 Drico Marx *, 23 Chijindu Okonta *
* denotes possible Currie Cup debut
