Carling Currie Cup

Sharks to field experience with youth against Bulls

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Hollywoodbets Sharks during the 2025 Carling Currie Cup match between Fidelity ADT Lions and Hollywoodbets Sharks at Emirates Airlines Park in Johannesburg on 26 July 2025 ©Alche Greeff/Backpagepix

The Hollywoodbets Sharks XV have been bolstered by experience and youthful success as they negotiate their way through the Carling Currie Cup, eying the Vodacom Blue Bulls for their second round clash this Saturday.

Tournament 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 flank 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 come lock Corne Rahl and flank 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.

Saturday’s match at Loftus Versfeld kicks off at 5.10pm.

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 (Capt.)
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 *