Sharks load up on Baby Bok muscle
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Sharks coach JP Pietersen has called up a number of South Africa’s successful Under-20 players for their Round Three Currie Cup face-off with the Cheetahs.
It is the first home game for the Sharks, after the opening two weekends were spent on the highveld.
Taking the brand to the community, the match will be played at the Sugar Ray Xulu Stadium in Clermont.
Pietersen has opted to make a number of changes, continuing along the path of giving opportunities to promising young players, while adding some experience to the backline.
Amongst the tight five, Jacques Marais comes in for Bryce Calvert at hooker and Gideon Koegelenberg starts in place of Deon Slabbert at lock.
In the final change to the pack, SA Under-20 back row forward Matt Romao replaces Jannes Potgieter at flank.
Vusi Moyo, another Baby Bok fresh from the national team’s heroics gets his first start, taking over from Jean Smith at flyhalf.
Pietersen has opted for some experience around him, bringing in wing Yaw Penxe, inside centre Marnus Potgieter and outside centre Diego Appollis, with Jaco Williams shifting to fullback.
Sharks: 15 Jaco Williams, 14 Phiko Sobahle, 13 Diego Appollis, 12 Marnus Potgieter, 11 Yaw Penxe, 10 Vusi Moyo, 9 Bradley Davids, 8 Nick Hatton (captain), 7 Matt Ramao, 6 Tino Mavesere, 5 Corne Rahl, 4 Gideon Koegelenberg, 3 Lee-Marvin Mazibuko, 2 Jacques Marais, 1 Phatu Ganyane.
Replacements: 16 Willem van den Hever, 17 Simphiwe Ngobese, 18 Dian Heunis, 19 Coetzee le Roux, 20 Jannes Potgieter, 21 Ceano Everson, 22 Jean Smith, 23 Albie Bester.
Date: Saturday, August 9
Venue: Sugar Ray Xulu Stadium, Clermont
Kick-off: 17.10 (15.10 GMT)
Referee: AJ Jacobs
Assistant referees: Paul Mente, Phumzile Mbewu
TMO: Egon Seconds
* Picture credit: @SharksRugby
