Young team for the Lions

JPP has selected a fairly inexperienced team (7 debutantes) for the first game of the Currie Cup. The official squad for the Currie Cup contains a number of the Junior Bok players that won the U20 World Cup in style but these have been given another week’s break after their heroics. Bathobele Hlekani who sparked one of the Junior Boks’ most spectacular tries has been called up to train with the Boks – so we will not see him hopefully doing the same for the Sharks soon.

The Sharks squad looks a bit more inexperienced than the squads for e.g. the Bulls and Lions who have included a few more players with URC experience. The youngsters will have a tough assignment at Ellis Park on Saturday – hopefully they will give a good account of themselves.

Phatu Ganyane
Bryce Calvert
Mawande Mdanda
Gideon Koegelenberg
Deon Slabbert
Sphephelo Mbonambi *
Jannes Potgieter
Nick Hatton (Capt.)
Bradley Davids (VC)
Jean Smith
Khuthi Rasivhaga *
Janco Purchase *
Litelihle Bester
Phiko Sobahle
Hakeem Kunene

Replacements

Liam van Wyk *
Dian Bleuler
Lee-Marvin Mazibuko
Kuhle Mthimkhulu *
Thomas Dyer
Tiaan Fourie
Drico Marx *
Chijindu Okonta *

Full Currie Cup Squad

Forwards: Dian Bleuler, Phatu Ganyane, Dian Heunis, Mawande Mdanda, Jacques Marais, Corne Rahl, Coetzee le Roux, Deon Slabbert, Gideon Koegelenberg, Tino Mavesere, Jannes Potgieter, Meno Barnard, Nicholas Hatton (c), Bryce Calvert, Lee-Marvin Mazibuko, Matt Romao, Thomas Dyer, Bathobele Hlekani, Phiwayinkosi Kubheka, Simphiwe Ngobese, Kuhle Mthimkhulu, Ulrich van der Westhuizen, Yabo Ndzamela, Sphephelo Mbonambi, Van Heerden Pretorius, Liam van Wyk.
Backs: Bradley Davids, Tiaan Fourie, Jean Smith, Marnus Potgieter, Diego Appollis, Hakeem Kunene, Phikolomzi Sobahle, Paschal Ekeji, Christie Grobbelaar, Jaco Williams, Vusi Moyo, Scott Nel, Litelihle Bester, Chijiundu Okonta, Juan Loots, Drico Marx, Kuthi Rasivhaga, Albie Bester, Janco Purchase, Maurice Willemse, Chris Horak, Ceano Everson, Willem van der Hever.