Carling Currie Cup

Sharks gear up for double header against Saracens, Pumas

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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

It’s double the fun, double the excitement, as two Hollywoodbets Sharks teams take on Saracens and the Airlink Pumas in Friday evening’s double-header bill at Hollywoodbets Kings Park.

The rugby action features the Hollywoodbets Sharks XV in their final pool clash of the Carling Currie Cup and a warm-up match against Saracens as the curtain-raiser, promising an all-out action spectacular for the fans.

There have been change-ups in both squads, with many Vodacom United Rugby Championship players and even a few Springboks thrown into the mix across the two teams.

The hit-out against Saracens will feature many of the usual suspects from the Carling Currie Cup in the curtain-raiser to the clash against the visiting Airlink Pumas with the team comprised of a mix of players featured in both squads.

There are also a number of new faces with Paarl-born front row twins Kayden and Cohen Kiewit packing down on either side of hooker Willem van der Hever. The pair are teammates this time round, having scrummed against each other in the Varsity Cup for UJ and CUT.

Certainly the likes of Jason Jenkins and Tino Mavesere amongst the forwards, and later Lukhanyo Am off the bench will provide calm heads and guidance to the relatively young team.

Although there is no distinct difference between the two teams, the Hollywoodbets Sharks XV team that faces off against the Airlink Pumas does include more experience, particularly amongst the loose-forward trio where Manu Tshituka, Vincent Tshituka and Phepsi Buthelezi pack down at the back of the scrum.

Nearly four hours of rugby action featuring close on 50 Hollywoodbets Sharks stars and up-and-coming young talent across two big games promises to be an evening worth savouring.

The early game against Saracens kicks off at 4pm, with the Carling Currie Cup clash following at 7.10pm.

Hollywoodbets Sharks Invitational vs Saracens
1. Kayden Kiewit
2. Willem van der Hever
3. Cohen Kiewit
4. Jason Jenkins
5. Deon Slabbert
6. Tino Mavesere (c)
7. Matt Romao
8. Jannes Potgieter
9. Tiaan Fourie
10. Jean Smith
11. Jaco Williams
12. Albie Bester
13. Christie Grobbelaar
14. Aiden de Villiers
15. Hakeem Kunene

Replacements
16. Jacques Marais
17. Dian Bleuler
18. Dian Heunis
19. Gideon Koegelenberg
20. Meno Barnard
21. Coetzee le Roux
22. Ceano Everson
23. Chris Horak
24. Lukhanyo Am

Hollywoodbets Sharks XV vs Airlink Pumas
1. Phatu Ganyane
2. Fez Mbatha
3. Lee-Marvin Mazibuko
4. Batho Hlekani
5. Emile van Heerden
6. Manu Tshituka
7. Vincent Tshituka (c)
8. Phepsi Buthelezi
9. Jaden Hendrikse
10. Siya Masuku
11. Paschal Ekeji
12. Francois Venter
13. Diego Apollis
14. PK Sobahle
15. Yaw Penxe

Replacements
16. Jacques Marais
17. Dian Bleuler
18. Mawande Mdanda
19. Deon Slabbert
20. Nick Hatton
21. Ceano Everson
22. Jean Smith
23. Jaco Williams