Sharks load up on Junior Boks
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Sharks have named several Junior Springboks and experienced heads in their matchday side to tackle the Bulls at Loftus Versveld on Saturday.
The Sharks have been bolstered by experience and youthful success as they negotiate their way through the Currie Cup, eying the Bulls for their Round Two clash this Saturday.
Head coach JP Pietersen did delay the introduction of some young stars for round one last week, but the time is ripe for the youngsters to make the step up into Currie Cup rugby and their recent achievements on the world stage will no doubt add firepower to the Sharks.
Jaco Williams, Simphiwe Ngobese, Matt Romao and Vusi Moyo have all been included in the matchday squad, following their successes with the Junior Boks.
Williams, with his eye for the tryline and pace to match, has been named on the wing, replacing Khuthi Rasivhaga, who moves to the bench, while Ngobese covers prop and flank Romao will provide back row cover on the replacement bench.
Moyo, also on the bench, starred for the Junior Boks with his place-kicking, astute distribution and physicality, converting two tries and kicking three penalties for an individual points’ haul of 13, following his team’s 23-15 victory over the Junior All Blacks in the Final.
With a total of 63 points across the tournament, he emerged as the global showpiece’s top scorer.
Adding top-level experience amongst the forwards comes lock Corne Rahl and flanker Tino Mavesere into the starting line-up, replacing Gideon Koegelenberg and Mawande Mdanda respectively.
Tighthead prop Lee-Marvin Mazibuko is a welcome addition to the side, the 28-year-old former Western Province and Stormers front row forward who has returned to South Africa after a season with Racing 92 in France, starts in Mawande Mdanda’s place.
Sharks: 15 Hakeem Kunene, 14 Phiko Sobahle, 13 Litelihle Bester, 12 Janco Purchase, 11 Jaco Williams, 10 Jean Smith, 9 Bradley Davids (vice-captain), 8 Nick Hatton (Capt.), 7 Jannes Potgieter, 6 Tino Mavesere, 5 Deon Slabbert, 4 Corne Rahl, 3 Lee-Marvin Mazibuko, 2 Bryce Calvert, 1 Phatu Ganyane
Replacements: 16 Jacques Marais, 17 Simphiwe Ngobese, 18 Dian Heunis, 19 Gideon Koegelenberg, 20 Matt Ramao, 21 Ceano Everson , 22 Vusi Moyo, 23 Albie Bester.
Date: Saturday, August 2
Venue: Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
Kick-off: 17.10 (15.10 GMT)
Referee: Sean Muller (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Dylen November (South Africa), Lulutho Matomela (South Africa)
TMO: Marius van der Westhuizen (South Africa)
