Carling Currie Cup

Sharks makes six changes ahead of Boland showdown

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Phiko Sobahle of Hollywoodbets Sharks tackled by Angelo Davids of Fidelity ADT Lions 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 will host Sanlam Boland Kavaliers in Pietermaritzburg in Saturday’s penultimate pool round of this year’s Carling Currie Cup.

Boland have arrived on the scene with a bang and newly-promoted, they have shown their desire to play at a top level, demonstrating the hunger that is necessary to compete.

And compete they have.

Four out of five wins is nothing to look down on and aside from a loss to Suzuki Griquas, victories over the Airlink Pumas (away), the Vodacom Blue Bulls (home), the Fidelity ADT Lions (home) and Toyota Cheetahs (home) have propelled them to second on the log with flyhalf Danrich Visagie leading the tournament’s point-scoring record with 50.

They will come up against a motivated and fired-up Hollywoodbets Sharks XV side, fresh off a bonus point victory over old foes DHL Western Province, and keen to give their ‘home’ supporters in Pietermaritzburg something to cheer about.

Carling Currie Cup head coach JP Pietersen has made six changes to the team that defeated DHL Western Province 29-21 at Hollywoodbets Kings Park last week, three apiece amongst the backline and forwards.

Siya Masuku makes his first appearance in the tournament this year, coming in for Jean Smith at flyhalf, with the latter reverting to the bench. At wing, Paschal Ekeji is in for Jaco Williams, while Marnus Potgieter makes way for Albie Bester at inside centre.

Amongst the forwards, there are two changes to the front row, Jacques Marais replaces Liam van Wyk at hooker while Mawande Mdanda returns after playing off the bench last week, he replaces Lee-Marvin Mazibuko at tighthead prop.

The final change sees Jannes Potgieter in for Batho Hlekani who no doubt will bring his barnstorming version of physicality off the bench in the second half.

Saturday’s match at Woodburn Stadium in Pietermaritzburg kicks off at 5.10pm.

Hollywoodbets Sharks XV
1. Phatu Ganyane
2. Jacques Marais
3. Mawande Mdanda
4. Coetzee Le Roux
5. Deon Slabbert
6. Tino Mavesere
7. Jannes Potgieter
8. Nicholas Hatton (C)
9. Ceano Everson
10. Siya Masuku
11. Paschal Ekeji
12. Albie Bester
13. Diego Apollis
14. Phikolomzi “PK” Sobahle
15. Hakeem Kunene

Replacements
16. Bryce Calvert
17. Dian Bleuler
18. Lee-Marvin Mazibuko
19. Bathobele Hlekani
20. Matt Romao
21. Tiaan Fourie
22. Jean Smith
23. Christie Grobbelaar