The Vodacom Bulls and Hollywoodbets Sharks XV have produced some memorable clashes in this prestigious competition, including last year’s epic semi-final, which ended 40-40 after regular time.
However, based on last week’s dominant performance in Cape Town, the Pretoria outfit will be favourites, while the Durbanites will need a marked improvement to be competitive on Saturday afternoon at Loftus at 17:00 (SA Time) after they lost by a big score against the Lions last week.
In perhaps the most significant change to the Vodacom Bulls line-up for their second Carling Currie Cup match, against the Hollywoodbets Sharks, Jaco van der Walt comes in at flyhalf, with in-form Boeta Chamberlain shifted to fullback. With a handful of players nursing injuries, Nomlomo also opted for a frontrow change, Juann Else coming in for Joe van Zyl at hooker, and has given Springbok Aphiwe Dyantyi his first start of the season, in the No 14 jersey. Both Henry Immelman, the fullback, and Van Zyl picked up niggles last weekend. Dyantyi, meanwhile, returns from injury. In a further nod to youth, Nomlomo has named three debutants on the bench in the shape of Esethu Mnebelele, Ruan Swart, and JJ Theron.
Hollywoodbets Sharks XV head coach JP Pietersen did delay the introduction of some young stars for round one last week, but the time is ripe for the youngsters to make the step up into Carling Currie Cup rugby and their recent achievements on the world stage will no doubt add firepower to this young Hollywoodbets Sharks XV team. Jaco Williams, Simphiwe Ngobese, Matt Romao and Simphiwe ‘Vusi’ Moyo have all been included in the matchday 23, following their successes with the Junior Boks, the World Champion age group team. Williams, with his eye for the tryline and pace to match, has been named on the wing, replacing Khuthi Rasivhaga, who moves to the bench, while Ngobese covers prop, and flanker Romao will provide back row cover on the replacement bench. Moyo, also on the bench, starred for the Junior Boks with his place-kicking, astute distribution and physicality, converting two tries and kicking three penalties for an individual points’ haul of 13, following his team’s 23-15 victory over the Junior All Blacks in the final. With a total of 63 points across the tournament, he emerged as the global showpiece’s top scorer. Adding top-level experience amongst the forwards, in comes lock Corne Rahl and flanker Tino Mavesere into the starting line-up, replacing Gideon Koegelenberg and Mawande Mdanda respectively. Tighthead prop Lee-Marvin Mazibuko is a welcome addition to the side, the 28-year-old former DHL Western Province and Stormers front row forward who has returned to South Africa after a season with Racing 92 in France, starts in Mawande Mdanda’s place.
Teams:
Vodacom Bulls: 1. Dylan Smith, 2. Juann Else, 3. Francois Klopper, 4. Sintu Manjezi, 5. Marvin Orie, 6. Nama Xaba, 7. Junior Pokomela, 8. Jeandre Rudolph, 9. Zak Burger, 10. Jaco van der Walt, 11. Stravino Jacobs, 12. Chris Barend Smit, 13. Stedman Gans, 14. Aphiwe Dyantyi, 15. Boeta Chamberlain. Replacements: 16. Esethu Mnebelele, 17. Ruan Swart, 18. Jean Erasmus, 19. Dylan de Leeuw, 20. JJ Theron, 21. Steven Nel, 22. PA van Niekerk, 23. Cornel Smit.
Hollywoodbets Sharks XV: 1 Phatu Ganyane, 2 Bryce Calvert, 3 Lee-Marvin Mazibuko, 4 Corne Rahl, 5 Deon Slabbert, 6 Tino Mavesere, 7 Jannes Potgieter, 8 Nick Hatton (c), 9 Bradley Davids (vc), 10 Jean Smith, 11 Jaco Williams, 12 Janco Purchase, 13 Litelihle Bester, 14 Phiko Sobahle, 15 Hakeem Kunene. Replacements: 16 Jacques Marais, 17 Simphiwe Ngobese, 18 Dian Heunis, 19 Gideon Koegelenberg, 20 Matt Ramao, 21 Ceano Everson, 22 Simphiwe Moyo, 23 Albie Bester.