The Sharks team release Carling Currie Cup

Airline Pumas vs. Hollywoodbets Sharks XV

The Carling Currie Cup – South Africa’s oldest and most prestigious rugby competition – kicks off this Friday with the Hollywoodbets Sharks XV traveling to Nelspruit to take on the Airlink Pumas in round one.

Head coach Mike Vowles has named a strong team for this opening clash.

This is a side that blends top-flight experience with youthful exuberance as he looks to kick off the tournament with a squad well-suited to the demands of this tournament, selecting eighthman Thomas Dyer to lead the team.

“We’ve added more experience and depth to the squad for this year’s Carling Currie Cup, so we did some homework and brought in guys we felt would really add value, both from a leadership point of view, as well as game time and experience,” Vowles explained.

“ Johan Momsen has been playing in America and also has experience of playing in New Zealand’s NPC, while we brought Tim Swiel in because we felt he can brings in organisation and control from the flyhalf position.

“This is an exciting group of guys who have had Currie Cup exposure as well as experience at Vodacom United Rugby Championship level, and youngsters who are keen to break through and make a mark in the competition.”

Friday evening’s match against the Airlink Pumas at Mbombela Stadium kicks off at 5pm.

Hollywoodbets Sharks XV
1.    Cameron Dawson
2.    Kerron van Vuuren
3.    Simphiwe Ngobese
4.    Johan Momsen
5.    Deon Slabbert
6.    Willem van den Hever
7.    Jannes Potgieter
8.    Thomas Dyer (C)
9.    Ross Braude
10.    Tim Swiel
11.    Lyle Matthews
12.    Janco Purchase
13.    Marnus Potgieter
14.    Christie Grobbelaar
15.    Chijindu Okonta
             
Replacements
16.    Jacques Marais
17.    Jaco du Toit
18.    Lee-Marvin Mazibuko
19.    Sipho Nonyalela
20.    Hanu Pieterse
21.    Ceano Everson
22.    Chris Horak
23.    Matthew Fortuin
24.    Dian Heunis
25.    Zack Meyer
26.    Meno Barnard