Hollywoodbets Sharks XV coach John Plumtree has observed the continuity mantra in his selection for Saturday’s Carling Currie Cup final but there are a few significant changes to the match day 23 that did duty in the Loftus semifinal last weekend.
There are two changes to the starting team for the game against the Fidelity ADT Lions, and a shakeup to the bench, with Plumtree opting for the Bomb Squad six/two split between forwards and backs. It means a first appearance in Sharks colours when he gets onto the field for former Vodacom Bulls and Leinster lock Jason Jenkins.
With Francois Venter red carded in last week’s game, which was drawn after 20 minutes of extra time but the Sharks advanced on superior try count, and has been replaced this week by Jurenzo ‘Boogieman’ Julius. That should be a popular selection as the 20-year-old Julius was one of the stars of the youthful Sharks team that recovered from a poor start to make it into the play-offs.
It is about to go down in the #CarlingCurrieCup this weekend 😤💥
— SuperSport Rugby (@SSRugby) September 18, 2024
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With Julius coming in at outside centre, Ethan Hooker, who is normally a midfield player, will continue on the wing, where he played in last week’s 40-all draw. Apart from Julius coming in, the backline is the same one that played against the Bulls, while there is one change to the forwards, with Emmanuel Tshituka coming in at No 8 for Phepsi Buthelezi.
Tshituka joins brother Vincent in the Sharks back row and with Jordan Hendrikse lining up at fullback, the Johannesburg team might feel like they are playing against their old boys club. Of course Warren Whiteley, who captained the Lions for a long time, is involved with the Sharks as an assistant coach.
Three starting Hollywoodbets Sharks players will return to Joburg in the #CarlingCurrieCup final this weekend, looking to lift the trophy 👀 pic.twitter.com/2ixCNVas0S
— SuperSport Rugby (@SSRugby) September 19, 2024
Lilethile Bester is the backline player who drops out from the Sharks bench to accommodate the extra forward, while Dylan Richardson returns as the hooker back-up to Fez Mbatha. He replaces Ethan Bester, a young player who showed promise in last week’s game. Mawande Mmdande comes in as a front row reserve for Dian Bleuler, with Trevor Nyakane, who scored the match clinching try in Pretoria, the other prop reserve.
Hollywoodbets Sharks XV: Jordan Hendrikse, Eduan Keyter, Jurenzo Julius, Andre Esterhuizen, Ethan Hooker, Siya Masuku, Bradley Davids, Emmanuel Tshituka, Vincent Tshituka (captain), James Venter, Emile van Heerden, Corne Rahl, Hanro Jacobs, Fez Mbatha, Ntuthuko Mchunu.
Replacements: Dylan Richardson, Trevor Nyakane, Mawande Mdande, Jason Jenkins, Gerbrandt Grobler, Tino Mavesere, Tian Meyer, Lionel Cronje.