Both sides have used the tournament for the development of young players, and with an eye on the future – both short and long term – to develop squad depth for the international club tournaments they both feature in.

Carling Currie Cup head coach JP Pietersen has made six changes and one positional switch to the team that went down bravely to the Suzuki Griquas who remain unbeaten at home this season.

The switch sees Jaco Williams return to wing after playing fullback last week, he replaces Paschal Ekeji, with Hakeem Kunene returning in the number 15 jersey.

Other backline changes see Jean Smith in for Vusi Moyo at flyhalf and hard-running wing Phikolomzi “PK” Sobahle returning after missing last week’s match, he takes over from Christie Grobbelaar on the other wing.

Amongst the forwards, Liam van Wyk comes in for Bryce Calvert at hooker, Le Roux Coetzee is back at lock, in for Gideon Koegelenberg and Tino Mavesere also returns to action, taking over from SA Under 20 star Matt Romao on the flank.

Friday’s clash at Hollywoodbets Kings Park kicks off at 7.10pm.

Hollywoodbets Sharks XV
1. Phatu Ganyane
2. Liam van Wyk
3. Lee-Marvin Mazibuko
4. Coetzee Le Roux
5. Deon Slabbert
6. Tino Mavesere
7. Bathobele Hlekani
8. Nick Hatton (Capt.)
9. Ceano Everson
10. Jean Smith
11. Jaco Williams
12. Marnus Potgieter
13. Diego Appollis
14. Phiko Sobahle
15. Hakeem Kunene

Replacements
16. Willem van den Hever
17. Phiwayinkosi Kubheka
18. Mawande Mdanda
19. Corne Rahl
20. Jannes Potgieter
21. Bradley Davids
22. Drico Marx
23. Albie Bester

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On Friday, Border lost their home clash 33-29 to the Phangela SWD Eagles, despite leading comfortably 26-12 at the halfway stage in East London, and the NovaVit Griffons gained their first win of the campaign as the downed Eastern Province 66-32 in their clash staged in Welkom in the other Saturday fixture.

The weekend’s results saw the Valke consolidate their top spot on the six-team log, with a perfect 10 points from their two matches to date.

The Eagles moved into second spot as they climbed to seven points following their hard-earned win over a tenacious Border. The Griffons, Leopards and EP all have six points from one win in two games, while Border have two points but are still searching for their first win.

Valke No 8 Zingisa April helped himself to three of his team’s eight tries at the Barnard Stadium, with the East Rand-side already 40-7 ahead at the break against the Leopards. Playmaker Keagan Fortune added four conversions. Shaun Baxter converted two of the Leopard’s four tries.

Griffons hooker Willem van den Hever grabbed four tries as the men from the Northern Free State outplayed EP by 66-32 at the Down Touch Investments Stadium in Welkom, with the hosts scoring nine tries to their visitors’ four tries in the end.

Versatile outside back Andrew Kota converted eight of the nine Griffons tries and succeeded with a penalty goal for a personal tally of 19 points via the kicking boot. Oliver Zono (flyhalf) slotted three conversions and two penalty goals for EP.

Border raced into a halfway lead of 26-12 but they could not maintain their momentum and defensive discipline as the Eagles stormed back in the second half to clinch this thrilling encounter 33-29 at the Sisa Dukashe Stadium in East London on Friday evening.

Kamvelihle Fatyela (hooker) scored twice for the Bulldogs who looked menacing in the opening spell, while pivot Maxwell Klaasen kicked three conversions and a penalty goal. For SWD, reserve hooker Marco Fuhri went over twice, as did outside centre Clive Kruger, while Marlo Weich also scored a try and three conversions.

In next weekend’s third round games, Border host log leaders the Valke in East London, and SWD welcome the Griffons to George, with both games taking place on Friday at 18h00. The remaining fixture of the round will be played in Potchefstroom from 15h00 on Saturday, when the Leopards entertain EP.

Scorers:

Valke 50 (40), Leopards 24 (7)
Valke – Tries: Zingisa April (3), Waqar Solaan, Blaine Golden, Sergio Stalmeester, Mosolwa Mafuma, Adrian Joubert. Conversions: Keagan Fortune (4), Mbembe Payi.
Leopards – Tries: Siniothando Tshontsyi, Jason Jansen, Brandon Keevy, Gcino Mdletshe. Conversions: Shaun Baxter (2).

NovaVit Griffons 66 (35), Eastern Province 32 (17)
Griffons – Tries: Willem van den Heever (4), Buhle Nojekwa, Kabelo Mokoena, Ngia Selengbe, Richman Gora, Joshua Paris. Conversions: Andrew Kota (8), Kyle Cyster. Penalty goal: Kota.
EP – Tries: Johannes Huisamen, Sherwin Slater, Rodney Damons, Andile Ngonyama. Conversions: Oliver Zono (3). Penalty goals: Zono (2).

Border Bulldogs 29 (26), Phangela SWD Eagles 33 (12)
Border – Tries: Kamvelihle Fatyela (2), Soso Xakalashe, Camagu Dlisani. Conversions: Maxwell Klaasen (3). Penalty goal: Klaasen.
Eagles – Tries: Marco Fuhri (2), Clive Kruger (2), Marlo Weich. Conversions: Weich (3), Sachin Toring.

Issued by SA Rugby Communications

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On Saturday, the NovaVit Griffons – who lost their opening-round match against the Valke in Welkom – face another tough assignment when Eastern Province visit them in one of two matches that start at 15h00. The remaining fixture takes place in Kempton Park, where the Valke host Leopards at the Barnard Stadium.

Border will fancy their chances against the Eagles at the Sisa Dukashe Stadium in Mdantsane. Although they finished the recently completed SA Cup without any wins, the Bulldogs gave good account of themselves at home, so SWD – who lost a thrilling encounter to EP by five points last week – will have to step up their defence if they want to leave East London victorious.

The Bulldogs were also on the losing end last week against Leopards in Potchefstroom, so Friday’s encounter with SWD could see one of the teams grab their first win of the new campaign. The Eagles won their previous meeting in this competition last year by 45-26 in George.

The Griffons, who completed in the Premier Division in the last two seasons, failed in their qualification attempt during the recent SA Cup, and with a 10-point loss to the Valke already on their books, they would want to bounce back as soon as possible.

However, they face a tough encounter against EP, who have the potential to upset away from home. The men from Gqeberha beat the Griffons in their SA Cup clash in May, but their last visit to the Northern Free State in the Carling Currie Cup First Division ended in a convincing 45-16 victory for the Griffons.

The Leopards and Valke – who clash on the East Rand this week – are leading the standings alongside EP, with all three teams on five points after the first round last weekend.

The Valke will hope that home-ground advantage in Kempton Park will tip the scales in their favour. The East Randers won last season’s fixture between the two sides 45-35 in Potchefstroom, while the Leopards’ previous win in this fixture was in May 2022, when they won 25-15 at Olen Park.

Match information:

Border Bulldogs v Phangela SWD Eagles
Date: Friday, 20 June
Venue: Sisa Dukashe Stadium, Mdantsane, East London
Kick-off: 18h00
Referee: Daniel Canhenga

NovaVit Griffons v Eastern Province
Date: Saturday, 21 June
Venue: Down Touch Investments Stadium, Welkom
Kick-off: 15h00
Referee: Caleb Hibbert

Valke v Leopards
Date: Saturday, 21 June
Venue: Barnard Stadium, Kempton Park
Kick-off: 15h00
Referee: Lulutho Matomela

Issued by SA Rugby Communications

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The East Randers raced into a 22-7 lead at the break, but then had to withstand a spirited second half fightback from the NovaVit Griffons to win their opening Carling Currie Cup First Division clash by 36-26 in Welkom.

The men from North-West kicked off their campaign with a comprehensive 47-20 victory over Border in Potchefstroom, while EP defeated their western neighbours, the Phangela SWD Eagles, by 36-31 in Gqeberha.

Playing in Welkom, the Valke eventually outscored their Northern Free State hosts by five tries to four to secure an important away win. Right wing Ezrick Alexander went over for two tries, while Keagan Fortune (flyhalf) scored one try, four conversions and a penalty goal for a personal contribution of 16 points for the team in the scarlet red jerseys.

The Griffons came storming back with two tries late in the game, but the Valke showed nerves of steel to successfully repel the fightback for a big away win.

In Potchefstroom, the Leopards led 21-13 at the halfway stage on their way to outscoring the Bulldogs by seven tries to two. Scrumhalf Chadd Adams scored two of the seven tries, while Shaun Baxter succeeded with six conversions. Border flyhalf Maxwell Klaasen succeeded with two conversions and two penalty goals.

Eastern Province came out tops by 36-31 in their derby clash with the Phangela SWD Eagles played at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, where the hosts had a 26-12 advantage at halftime. Both sides managed to score five tries, but EP’s kickers had a better day with the boot, with Jayden Bantom landing a crucial drop-goal.

Hooker Deon Plaatjies went over for two maul tries for EP, while Oliver Zono (flyhalf) slotted four conversions. Marlo Weich (fullback) and Roshwin Abrahams (replacement outside back) each scored and try and conversion for the Bulldogs.

In next week’s round two fixtures, Border host the Eagles at the Sisa Dukashe Stadium in East London on Friday evening; the Griffons entertain EP in Welkom on Saturday, while Valke are home to Leopards at the Barnard Stadium in Kempton Park.

Scorers:

Leopards 47 (21), Border 20 (13)
Leopards – Tries: Chadd Adams (2), Armin Posthumus, Lwandile Mapuko, Jason Alexander, Brandon Keevy, Hanro Potgieter. Conversions: Shaun Baxter (6).
Border – Tries: Kamvelihle Fatyela, Soso Xakalashe. Conversions: Maxwell Klaasen (2). Penalty goals: Klaasen (2).

NovaVit Griffons 26 (7), Valke 36 (22)
Griffons – Tries: Duan Pretorius, Simon Westraadt, Kyle Cyster, Willem van den Hever. Conversions: Andrew Kota (3).
Valke – Tries: Ezrick Alexander (2), Kayden Kiewit, Keagan Fortune, Wernich Aucamp. Conversions: Fortune (4). Penalty goal: Fortune.

Eastern Province 36 (26), Phangela SWD Eagles 31 (12)
Eastern Province – Tries: Deon Plaatjies (2), Johannes Huisamen, Rodney Damons, Jayden Bantom. Conversions: Oliver Zono (4). Drop goal: Bantom.
Eagles – Tries: Stephan Leonard, JP Duvenage, Marlo Weich, Roshwin Abrahams, Clive Kruger. Conversions: Weich, Abrahams, Marco Fuhri.

Issued by SA Rugby Communications

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