The Hollywoodbets Sharks XV are back on the road for the third time in four weeks as they travel to Kimberley to take on the Suzuki Griquas in a Carling Currie Cup fourth round clash against the 2022 finalists on Friday afternoon.

Tournament head coach JP Pietersen, buoyed by his team’s brave effort against the Toyota Cheetahs last weekend, has stuck with his young blood, and handing Junior Springbok heavyweight Bathobele Hlekani his first start this season.

The 20-year-old will be playing in his familiar role at flank, although he made his debut for the Hollywoodbets Sharks XV last year, also in week four, but selected at lock.

Other changes in the backline see Bryce Calvert returning at hooker for Jacques Marais, Deon Slabbert in for Corne Rahl at lock and Matt Romao shifting into Tino Mavesere’s position.

SA Under 20 star Ceano Everson replaces Bradley Davids at scrumhalf in the first of the backline changes, while fans get to see the NFL hopeful Paschal Ekeji, the Lesotho born, of Nigerian descent, schooled at Grey College, read for an honours degree in agriculture at Stellenbosch University where he played Varsity Rugby and back from a stint in the USA, taking over from Yaw Penxe.

The final change sees SA Sevens star, Commonwealth gold medalist and Olympic bronze Christie Grobbelaar, replacing last week’s Carling Champion of the Match Phikolomzi “PK” Sobahle on the wing.

Friday’s clash at Suzuki Stadium in Kimberley kicks off at 3pm.

Hollywoodbets Sharks XV
1. Phatu Ganyane
2. Bryce Calvert
3. Lee-Marvin Mazibuko
4. Gideon Koegelenberg
5. Deon Slabbert
6. Matt Romao
7. Batho Hlekani
8. Nick Hatton (C)
9. Ceano Everson
10. Vusi Moyo
11. Paschal Ekeji *
12. Marnus Potgieter
13. Diego Apollis
14. Christie Grobbelaar
15. Jaco Williams

Replacements
16. Willem van den Hever
17. Simphiwe Ngobese
18. Phiwayinkosi Kubheka
19. Coetzee Le Roux
20. Jannes Potgieter
21. Tiaan Fourie
22. Jean Smith
23. Hakeem Kunene