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LIVE
74'
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Forgotten Bok scrumhalf gets Sharks starting debut

By Angus Opperman
Thursday 3 Sep 2026
DURBAN, SOUTH AFRICA – AUGUST 11: Ivan van Zyl of the Hollywoodbets Sharks with Beauden Barrett during the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry match between Hollywoodbets Sharks and New Zealand at Hollywoodbets Kings Park Stadium on August 11, 2026 in Durban, South Africa. (Photo by Steve Haag Sports/Gallo Images)

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Sharks will take on the SWD Eagles in the first of two pre-season warm-up matches on Friday evening, with the teams meeting in George to give the wider Durban squad a run ahead of this season’s United Rugby Championship.

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With the URC opening round’s fixtures pitting the Sharks against the Ospreys at Hollywoodbets Kings Park on Saturday, September 26, Friday’s match against the Eagles, together with a clash against the 10Bets Lions at Ellis Park Stadium on Friday, September 11, form the pre-season hit-out schedule for the Durban side.

Head coach JP Pietersen has put together a team with a blend of experience, youth and exciting talent, a number of Currie Cup players getting the opportunity at a higher level, while a handful of Under 20 players are also given the chance to shine and push for inclusion in the URC squad alongside their more senior international teammates.

Numerous Springboks, including the likes of Vincent Koch, Phepsi Buthelezi, Manu Tshituka, Vusi Moyo, Makazole Mapimpi, Jaden Hendrikse and Ivan van Zyl who made his Sharks debut off the bench against the All Blacks will bring experience and calmness to the young players who represented South Africa so proudly earlier in the year, winning the World Rugby Junior World Championship in Georgia along with their Currie Cup teammates.

Former Junior Springbok utility back Suleiman Hartzenberg, who has come to Durban on loan from the Stormers, where the 23-year-old amassed 61 caps, has been included in the match, where he will feature off the bench.

Sharks: 15 Luan Giliomee, 14 Donovan Don, 13 Litelihle Bester, 12 Jurenzo Julius, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Vusi Moyo, 9 Ivan van Zyl, 8 Nick Hatton, 7 Manu Tshituka, 6 Phepsi Buthelezi, 5 Deon Slabbert, 4 Corne Rahl, 3 Vincent Koch, 2 Eduan Swart, 1 Phatu Ganyane
Replacements: 16 Nemo Roelofse, 17 Ethan Bester, 18 Hanro Jacobs, 19 Johan Momsen, 20 Thomas Dyer, 21 Matt Romao, 22 Tino Mavesere, 23 Bradley Davids, 24 Jaden Hendrikse, 25 Siya Masuku, 26 Jaco Purchase, 27 Suleiman Hartzenberg, 28 Khuthi Rasivhaga

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Date: Friday, September 4
Venue: Outeniqua Park, George
Kick-off: 19.00 (17.00 GMT)
Referee: TBC
Assistant referees: TBC
TMO: TBC

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