Currie Cup

Sharks prepare for Pumas return leg in Currie Cup

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Nick Hatton, Captain of the Cell C Sharks leads his team onto the field for the first time in a Sharks jersey during the 2024 Currie Cup game between the Sharks and the Lions at Kings Park Stadium in Durban on 5 July 2024 © Gerhard Duraan/BackpagePix

After last week’s Carling Currie Cup victory over the Fidelity ADT Lions, the Hollywoodbets Sharks are in week five action against the Airlink Pumas in their return leg match, taking place in Mbombela on Saturday.

The team took great confidence from their bonus point victory, even more merit worthy. In that it came away from home, which will provide added motivation this weekend.

Captain Nick Hatton explained in the lead-up to this match that, “The win restored confidence, we knew we were playing good rugby and were disappointed not to get over the line in two of the games and we needed an 80 minute performance; going forward we need to continue with those 80 minute performances.”

Hatton felt it important though to temper the good news with a reality check, that getting the win was encouraging, they need to keep getting the results.

“The team is in a good space, but we have to understand that it’s just one win and we have another big challenge this weekend. We’re well-aware of what’s ahead, but we are in a good place and the guys believe.

“It’s only one win, but we’re hungry for more.”

Proving hungry were the debutants who wore the senior Black & White jersey for the first time and Hatton admitted that their presence fuelled the team.

“The guys who came in added good value and the junior Springbok players are match ready; they all fitted in really well, they’re really talented players and great guys to work with.”

Head coach JP Pietersen has welcomed back two of his internationals. Springbok prop Trevor Nyakane replaces Mawande Mdanda and Tino Mavesere, back from Zimbabwe’s Rugby Africa Cup campaign, comes in at flank in the two changes to the pack, with Eduan Keyter replacing Yaw Penxe on the wing.

After bringing through numerous youngsters over the past month, Pietersen has named just one debutant, Chris Horak, the former Hilton College and Sharks Craven Week flyhalf as cover off the bench.

The Hollywoodbets Sharks XV
1. Abraham Reyneke
2. Dan Jooste
3. Trevor Nyakane
4. Batho Hlekani
5. Reniel Hugo
6. Tino Mavesere
7. Jannes Potgieter
8. Nick Hatton (c)
9. Bradley Davids
10. Lionel Cronje
11. Jaco Williams
12. Jurenzo Julius
13. Litelihle Bester
14. Eduan Keyter
15. Hakeem Kunene

Replacements
16. Bryce Calvert
17. Dian Bleuler
18. Kabous Bezuidenhout
19. Hennie Sieberhagen
20. Siya Ningiza
21. Tian Meyer
22. Chris Horak *
23. Scott Nel