It’s double the fun, double the excitement, as two Hollywoodbets Sharks teams take on Saracens and the Airlink Pumas in Friday evening’s double-header bill at Hollywoodbets Kings Park.
The rugby action features the Hollywoodbets Sharks XV in their final pool clash of the Carling Currie Cup and a warm-up match against Saracens as the curtain-raiser, promising an all-out action spectacular for the fans.
There have been changes in both squads, with many Vodacom United Rugby Championship players and even a few Springboks thrown into the mix across the two teams.
The hit-out against Saracens will feature many of the usual suspects from the Carling Currie Cup in the curtain-raiser to the clash against the visiting Airlink Pumas, with the team comprised of a mix of players featured in both squads.
There are also a number of new faces with Paarl-born front row twins Kayden and Cohen Kiewit packing down on either side of hooker Willem van der Hever. The pair are team-mates this time round, having scrummed against each other in the Varsity Cup for UJ and CUT.
Certainly, the likes of Jason Jenkins and Tino Mavesere amongst the forwards, and later Lukhanyo Am off the bench, will provide calm heads and guidance to the relatively young team.
Although there is no distinct difference between the two teams, the Hollywoodbets Sharks XV team that faces off against the Airlink Pumas does include more experience, particularly amongst the loose-forward trio where Manu Tshituka, Vincent Tshituka and Phepsi Buthelezi pack down at the back of the scrum.
Nearly four hours of rugby action featuring close on 50 Hollywoodbets Sharks stars and up-and-coming young talent across two big games promises to be an evening worth savouring.
The early game against Saracens kicks off at 16:00 (SA Time), with the Carling Currie Cup clash following at 19:00 (SA Time)
Hollywoodbets Sharks Invitational vs Saracens
- Kayden Kiewit
- Willem van der Hever
- Cohen Kiewit
- Jason Jenkins
- Deon Slabbert
- Tino Mavesere (c)
- Matt Romao
- Jannes Potgieter
- Tiaan Fourie
- Jean Smith
- Jaco Williams
- Albie Bester
- Christie Grobbelaar
- Aiden de Villiers
- Hakeem Kunene
Replacements
- Jacques Marais
- Dian Bleuler
- Dian Heunis
- Gideon Koegelenberg
- Meno Barnard
- Coetzee le Roux
- Ceano Everson
- Chris Horak
- Lukhanyo Am
Hollywoodbets Sharks XV vs Airlink Pumas
- Phatu Ganyane
- Fez Mbatha
- Lee-Marvin Mazibuko
- Batho Hlekani
- Emile van Heerden
- Manu Tshituka
- Vincent Tshituka (c)
- Phepsi Buthelezi
- Jaden Hendrikse
- Siya Masuku
- Paschal Ekeji
- Francois Venter
- Diego Appollis
- Phikolomzi “PK” Sobahle
- Yaw Penxe
Replacements
- Jacques Marais
- Dian Bleuler
- Mawande Mdanda
- Deon Slabbert
- Nick Hatton
- Ceano Everson
- Jean Smith
- Jaco Williams