Hollywoodbets Sharks XV head coach has named a heavily reshuffled matchday 23 to face the DHL Stormers XXIII in Cape Town this weekend, welcoming back a core group of newly crowned U20 Rugby World Cup champions.
Fresh off their global triumph in Georgia with the Junior Springboks, four of South Africa’s brightest young stars have been injected straight into the mix to provide serious firepower to the coastal derby.
Luan Giliomee slots straight into the starting lineup, taking over the fullback responsibilities in the number 15 jersey, while the replacements bench gets a massive physical boost with world-champion front-rowers Liam van Wyk (hooker) and "Rambo" Kubheka (prop) ready to bring targeted intensity in the second half. Dynamic back Kuthi Rasivanga rounds out the tournament-winning contingent, providing versatile cover from the bench.
Other changes see Bryce Calvert earn a promotion from the bench to start at hooker, locking down the middle of the front row alongside Cameron Dawson and Simphiwe Ngobese, while Luann Olivier gets the nod at blindside flank (number 6), replacing Willem van den Hever in a reshaped back row captained by number 8 Thomas Dyer.
The substitutes bench has been heavily refreshed to combat the Stormers' depth, introducing fresh legs in Jean-Henri Smit, Juan Loots, and Albi Bester alongside the returning international stars.
Hollywoodbets Sharks XV: 15. Luan Giliomee, 14. Christie Grobbelaar, 13. Marnus Potgieter, 12. Janco Purchase, 11. Lyle Matthews, 10. Tim Swiel, 9. Ross Braude, 8. Thomas Dyer (c), 7. Danio Botha, 6. Luaan Olivier, 5. Deon Slabbert, 4. Johan Momsen, 3. Simphiwe Ngobese, 2. Bryce Calvert, 1. Cameron Dawson. Replacements: 16. Liam van Wyk, 17. Phiwayinkosi “Rambo” Kubheka, 18. Lee-Marvin Mazibuko, 19. Hanu Pieterse, 20. Jean-Henri Smit, 21. Juan Loots, 22. Albie Bester, 23. Khuthi Rasivanga.