The Hollywoodbets Sharks will take on the SWD Eagles in the first of two pre-season warm-up matches on Friday evening, with the teams meeting in George at 19:00 SAST, to give the wider Durban squad a run ahead of this season’s Vodacom United Rugby Championship.
With the VURC opening round’s fixtures pitting the Hollywoodbets Sharks against the Ospreys at Hollywoodbets Kings Park on Saturday 26 September, Friday’s match against the Eagles, together with a clash against the 10Bets Lions at Ellis Park Stadium on Friday 11 September (15:00 SAST), form the pre-season hit-out schedule for the Durban side.
Head coach JP Pietersen has put together a team with a blend of experience, youth and exciting talent, a number of Carling Currie Cup players getting the opportunity at a higher level, while a handful of Under 20 players are also given the chance to shine and push for inclusion in the VURC squad alongside their more senior international team-mates.
Numerous Springboks, including the likes of Vincent Koch, Phepsi Buthelezi, Manu Tshituka, Ivan van Zyl, Vusi Moyo, Makazole Mapimpi and Jaden Hendrikse, will bring experience and calmness to the young players who represented South Africa so proudly earlier in the year, winning the World Rugby Junior World Championship in Georgia along with their Carling Currie Cup team-mates.
Former Junior Springbok, utility back Suleiman Hartzenberg, who has come to Durban on loan from the DHL Stormers, where the 23-year-old amassed 61 caps, has been included in the match where he will feature off the bench.
Hollywoodbets Sharks:
1. Phatu Ganyane
2. Eduan Swart
3. Vincent Koch
4. Corne Rahl
5. Deon Slabbert
6. Phepsi Buthelezi
7. Manu Tshituka
8. Nick Hatton
9. Ivan van Zyl
10. Vusi Moyo
11. Makazole Mapimpi
12. Jurenzo Julius
13. Litelihle Bester
14. Donovan Don
15. Luan Giliomee
Replacements
16. Nemo Roelofse
17. Ethan Bester
18. Hanro Jacobs
19. Johan Momsen
20. Thomas Dyer
21. Matt Romao
22. Tino Mavesere
23. Bradley Davids
24. Jaden Hendrikse
25. Siya Masuku
26. Jaco Purchase
27. Suleiman Hartzenberg
28. Khuthi Rasivhaga