The race for the 2025 Carling Currie Cup semi-finals is going down to the wire. Friday evening’s clash between the Hollywoodbets Sharks XV and the Airlink Pumas, from 19:00 (SA Time) in Durban, will have a huge bearing on the rest of the weekend’s action.
Friday evening’s clash in Durban is a must-win game for the visitors from Mpumalanga, who sit in fifth place with 20 points, just one point off a playoff spot. The Pumas would view this meeting as a golden opportunity to climb into the top four against the Sharks XV, who are currently second from last. A bonus-point win would take the Pumas to 25 points, putting immense pressure on the Lions and Cheetahs, who play later on Saturday.
The young Sharks XV team, coached by former RWC-winning Springbok JP Pietersen, has found form recently, winning their last two games after losing their first four. Conversely, Jimmy Stonehouse's Pumas have been inconsistent, with only two wins in their last five games. The last time these two sides met, in Nelspruit last August, they played to an incredible 44-44 draw.
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.
Airlink Pumas made only one change. In the only change, Hanno Theunissen replaces JJ Scheepers at lock. JJ Scheepers drops to the bench.
Teams:
Hollywoodbets Sharks XV: 15 Yaw Penxe, 14 Phikolomzi Sobahle, 13 Diego Appollis, 12 Francois Venter, 11 Paschal Ekeji, 10 Siya Masuku, 9 Jaden Hendrikse, 8 Phepsi Buthelezi, 7 Vincent Tshituka (captain), 6 Manu Tshituka, 5 Emile van Heerden, 4 Batho Hlekani, 3 Lee-Marvin Mazibuko, 2 Fez Mbatha, 1 Phatu Ganyane. Replacements: 16 Jacques Marais, 17 Dian Bleuler, 18 Mawande Mdanda, 19 Deon Slabbert, 20 Nick Hatton, 21 Ceano Everson, 22 Jean Smith, 23 Jaco Williams.
Airlink Pumas: 15 Stefan Coetzee, 14 Lundi Msenge, 13 Sango Xamlashe, 12 Wian van Niekerk, 11 Darren Adonis, 10 Clinton Swart, 9 Ross Braude (vice captain), 8 Willie Engelbrecht (captain), 7 Ruwald van der Merwe, 6 Ntsika Fisanti, 5 Tiaan de Klerk, 4 Hanno Theunissen, 3 Sampie Swiegers, 2 Eduan Swart, 1 Dewald Maritz. Replacements: 16 Darnelle Osuagwu, 17 Etienne Janeke, 18 Junior Banda, 19 JJ Scheepers, 20 Andre Fouche, 21 Russwill Fredericks, 22 Danrich Visagie, 23 Andrew Kota.