Hawies Fourie’s Sanlam Boland Kavaliers have been a revelation this season and sit comfortably in second place with four wins from five starts. A bonus-point win for the men from Wellington against the second-from-bottom Sharks XV, at the Woodburn Stadium in Pietermaritzburg at 17:10 (SA Time), would solidify their position and keep them firmly in the hunt for the top spot.
The Durbanites, however, are fresh off their first win of the season (over WP), and JP Pietersen’s young charges will be looking to build momentum and upward movement on the league table.
Hollywoodbets Sharks XV coach JP Pietersen has made six changes to the team, three apiece amongst the backline and forwards.
Siya Masuku makes his first appearance in the tournament this year, coming in for Jean Smith at fly-half, with the latter reverting to the bench. At wing, Paschal Ekeji is in for Jaco Williams, while Marnus Potgieter makes way for Albie Bester at inside centre.
Amongst the forwards, there are two changes to the front row, Jacques Marais replaces Liam van Wyk at hooker, while Mawande Mdanda returns after playing off the bench last week; he replaces Lee-Marvin Mazibuko at tighthead prop.
The final change sees Jannes Potgieter in for Batho Hlekani, who no doubt will bring his barnstorming version of physicality off the bench in the second half.
The Kavaliers have made five changes to the starting line-up. According to the Kavaliers' coach, some changes were made due to injuries. Sauliegh Arendse and Erik Lambrecht have been rewarded for their recent performances, earning them a place in the starting line-up.
Flyhalf Ashlon Davids is out of action after suffering a knee injury in Mbombela last week. However, there is also a piece of good news with winger Donovan Don, who is the tournament’s leading try scorer with seven tries in just four matches, returning from the knee injury he sustained in round four against the Bulls.
Among the forwards, Arendse comes in at flank, with Khwezi Mafu moving to the bench. Sidney Tobias returns at hooker after being rested against the Pumas, with HP van Schoor being named on the bench.
Juan Mostert replaces Davids at flyhalf, while the versatile Lambrecht is rewarded for his good performance against the Pumas with a place in the starting line-up at outside centre. David Brits consequently moves to the bench. On the right wing, Don takes the place of Marcqiewn Titus, with fullback Domenic Smit named among the replacements.
Teams
Hollywoodbets Sharks XV: 15 Hakeem Kunene, 14 Phikolomzi Sobahle, 13 Diego Apollis, 12 Albie Bester, 11 Paschal Ekeji, 10 Siya Masuku, 9 Ceano Everson, 8 Nicholas Hatton (c), 7 Jannes Potgieter, 6 Tino Mavesere, 5 Deon Slabbert, 4 Coetzee Le Roux, 3 Mawande Mdanda, 2 Jacques Marais, 1 Phatu Ganyane. Replacements: 16 Bryce Calvert, 17 Dian Bleuler, 18 Lee-Marvin Mazibuko, 19 Bathobele Hlekani, 20 Matt Romao, 21 Tiaan Fourie, 22 Jean Smith, 23 Christie Grobbelaar.
Sanlam Boland Kavaliers: 15 James Tedder, 14 Donovan Don, 13 Erik Lambrecht, 12 Lunathi Nxele, 11 Xavier Mitchell, 10 Juan Mostert, 9 Louis Schreuder, 8 Thurlow Marsh (c), 7 Sibusiso Sangweni, 6 Sauliegh Arendse, 5 Jurie van Vuuren, 4 Michael Benadie, 3 Dayan van der Westhuizen, 2 Sidney Tobias, 1 Wayrin Losper. Replacements: 16 HP van Schoor, 17 Mthokozisi Gumede, 18 Laurence Victor, 19 Ameer Hendricks, 20 Khwezi Mafu, 21 Godlen Masimla, 22 David Brits, 23 Domenic Smit.
