Currie Cup

Sharks gear up for Lions tie in Currie Cup

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JP Pietersen Sharks assistant coach during the 2023 Currie Cup match between the Sharks and Pumas held at Kings Park in Durban on 07 April 2023 ©Gerhard Duraan/BackpagePix

The Hollywoodbets Sharks XV will look to get their exciting 2024 Carling Currie Cup campaign off to a winning start when they host the Fidelity ADT Lions at Hollywoodbets Kings Park on Friday evening.

This year’s Premier Division tournament sees eight teams competing, the Hollywoodbets Sharks XV joined by 2023 champions Toyota Free State, the Vodacom Blue Bulls, DHL Western Province, Fidelity ADT Lions, Suzuki Griquas, Airlink Pumas and Novavit Griffons.

Former Sharks and Springbok star JP Pietersen has been named head coach for this season’s tournament which extends into September, naming eighthman Nic Hatton as his captain for the opening round.

Missing a number of Springboks in the squad ahead of the international season, Pietersen has balanced regular faces with an exciting group of young players he has coached at junior level over the last couple of years and who are now given the opportunity to make the step up into the senior ranks.

There has been a lull in rugby action recently after the conclusion of the Vodacom United Rugby Championship and the title-winning Heineken Challenge Cup, but the team is excited to get stuck into this tournament, one that the South African rugby fraternity holds dear to their hearts, and there is a commitment to do the tournament and the franchise proud in 2024.

There is an immensely rich history seated in the Currie Cup, with the Hollywoodbets Sharks XV boasting a proud list of achievements since that historic first title in 1990, followed by a number of further trophies won in the ensuing years.

Friday’s match at Hollywoodbets Kings Park is scheduled for a 5.15pm kick-off.

Hollywoodbets Sharks XV
1. Abraham Reyneke
2. Daniel Jooste
3. Khwezi Mona
4. Coetzee Le Roux
5. Reniel Hugo
6. Tino Mavesere
7. Jannes Potgieter
8. Nick Hatton (c)
9. Bradley Davids
10. Lionel Cronje
11. Jaco Williams
12. Murray Koster
13. Diego Appollis
14. Yaw Penxe
15. Hakeem Kunene

Replacements
16. Kerron van Vuuren
17. Phatu Ganyane
18. Mawande Mdanda
19. Reinier Viljoen
20. Siya Ningiza
21. Tiaan Fourie
22. Alwayno Visagie
23. Muller du Plessis