The young Hollywoodbets Sharks XV was well beaten by the ADT Lions in Johannesburg last week but they will be bolstered by the return of some experience plus a quintet of successful Junior Springboks for Saturday’s second Carling Currie Cup outing in Pretoria.
The Sharks are the reigning champions but will head to Loftus to face the Vodacom Bulls, who comprehensively outplayed an inexperienced DHL Western Province side in Cape Town last week, under pressure.
Last year Nick Hatton’s team recovered from losing their first three games to finish high on the log, which was the launchpad for their drive to the final against the Lions, but with this year’s league phase scheduled for just a single round there is less time to recover now.
⚪ Our Hollywoodbets Sharks XV team for Saturday's match ⚫
— The Sharks (@SharksRugby) July 31, 2025
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It is probably with that in mind that coach JP Pietersen has added experience to the forward pack in the form of promising lock Corne Rahl, who although young has played a few seasons now for the Sharks at both Currie Cup and Vodacom United Rugby Championship level, and openside flank Tino Mavesere.
Former DHL Western Province and Stormers prop Lee-Marvin Mazibuko also starts in the front row after playing last week’s game off the bench.
The five Junior Boks who were part of the winning effort in the recent World Rugby Under-20 Championship are wing Jaco Williams, flyhalf Simphiwe ‘Vusi’ Moyo, loosehead prop Simphiwe Ngobese, inside centre Albie Bester and looseforward Matt Ramao.
Of that five, Williams, who showed an excellent turn of pace and eye for try scoring opportunities at the global youth tournament in Italy, is the only one to be included in the starting team.
Of the other four, Ramao is the only one not making his Currie Cup debut. Williams has also played Currie Cup rugby before although this is his first start of the season with Khuti Rasivhaga being the man he replaces in the No 11 jersey.
Hollywoodbets Sharks XV: Hakeem Kunene, Phiko Sobahle, Lilelihle Bester, Janco Purchase, Jaco Williams, Jean Smith, Bradley Davids, Nick Hatton (captain), Jannes Potgieter, Tino Mavesere, Deon Slabbert, Corne Rahl, Lee-Marvin Mazibuko, Bryce Calvert, Phatu Ganyane.
Replacements: Jacques Marais, Simphiwe Ngobese, Dian Heunis, Gideon Koegelenberg, Matt Ramao, Ceano Everson, Simphiwe Moyo, Albie Bester.