Sharks: Juggling act as Saracens arrive in town
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENTS: The Sharks have spread their resources across two teams as they welcome the touring Saracens and the Pumas to Kings Park for a double header.
The action features the Sharks in their final pool clash of the Currie Cup and a warm-up match against Saracens as the curtain-raiser, promising an all-out action spectacular for the fans.
There have been changes in both squads, with many United Rugby Championship players and a few Springboks thrown into the mix across the two teams.
The hit-out against Saracens will feature many of the Currie Cup regulars in the curtain-raiser to the clash against the visiting Pumas, with the team comprised of a mix of players featured in both squads.
There are also several new faces with Paarl-born front row twins Kayden and Cohen Kiewit packing down on either side of hooker Willem van der Hever.
The pair are teammates this time round, having scrummed against each other in the Varsity Cup for UJ and CUT.
Jason Jenkins and Tino Mavesere start as two of the more experienced forwards, with Bok centre Lukhanyo Am on the bench.
Although there is no distinct difference between the two teams, the Sharks team that faces off against the Pumas does include more experience, particularly amongst the loose trio where Manu Tshituka, Vincent Tshituka and Phepsi Buthelezi pack down at the back of the scrum.
Sharks v Saracens
Sharks: 15 Hakeem Kunene, 14 Aiden de Villiers, 13 Christie Grobbelaar, 12 Albie Bester, 11 Jaco Williams, 10 Jean Smith, 9 Tiaan Fourie, 8 Jannes Potgieter, 7 Matt Romao, 6 Tino Mavesere (captain), 5 Deon Slabbert, 4 Jason Jenkins, 3 Cohen Kiewit, 2 Willem van der Hever, 1 Kayden Kiewit.
Replacements: 16 Jacques Marais, 17 Dian Bleuler, 18 Dian Heunis, 19 Gideon Koegelenberg, 20 Meno Barnard, 21 Coetzee le Roux, 22 Ceano Everson, 23 Chris Horak, 24 Lukhanyo Am.
Date: Saturday, September 6
Venue: Kings Park, Durban
Kick-off: 16.00 (14.00 GMT)
Referee: Caleb Hibbert
Assistant referees: TBC
TMO: TBC
Sharks v Pumas
Sharks: 15 Yaw Penxe, 14 Phikolomzi Sobahle, 13 Diego Appollis, 12 Francois Venter, 11 Paschal Ekeji, 10 Siya Masuku, 9 Jaden Hendrikse, 8 Phepsi Buthelezi, 7 Vincent Tshituka (captain), 6 Manu Tshituka, 5 Emile van Heerden, 4 Batho Hlekani, 3 Lee-Marvin Mazibuko, 2 Fez Mbatha, 1 Phatu Ganyane
Replacements: 16 Jacques Marais, 17 Dian Bleuler, 18 Mawande Mdanda, 19 Deon Slabbert, 20 Nick Hatton, 21 Ceano Everson, 22 Jean Smith, 23 Jaco Williams.
Date: Saturday, September 6
Venue: Kings Park, Durban
Kick-off: 19.00 (17.00 GMT)
Referee: Griffin Colby
Assistant referees: AJ Jacobs, Caleb Hibbert
TMO: Marius Jonker
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