Hollywoodbets Sharks team named for RGR clash in Durban
Nick Hatton has been named as captain of the Hollywoodbets Sharks team for their historic clash against the All Blacks in Durban on Tuesday evening, the second match of the Castle Double Malt Rugby’s...
The eight-match tour sees the All Blacks take on the four Vodacom United Rugby Championship clubs, alongside a four-match Test series against the Springboks. The tour got underway on Friday evening in Cape Town, where the New Zealanders had to work hard to beat the DHL Stormers by 38-21.
Despite the demands on squad depth, with several players on national duty and a Carling Currie Cup campaign to negotiate, Hollywoodbets Sharks head coach JP Pietersen has assembled an exceptionally exciting side that blends youth with vast experience, including players with Test-level credentials.
The inclusion of Nonu, who joined the team last Tuesday, has been named among the replacements and is sure to add further excitement to an already highly anticipated clash. The side features a number of players from the Hollywoodbets Sharks’ Vodacom URC pre-season squad.
The match also provides an opportunity to welcome back several familiar faces who have forged their names in Durban, while adding international experience to the occasion through the inclusion of players such as Nemo Roelofse, the 120kg loosehead prop, who has been plying his trade with Racing 92 in France, and lock Hendre Stassen, who has also played in France with Stade Français.
Pietersen has once again embraced his philosophy that “if he’s good enough, he’s old enough”, with young stars Vusi Moyo and Zekhethelo Siyaya named in the starting XV. Rambo Kubekha, Matt Romao and Luan Giliomee are among the impact players who will look to make their mark from the bench.
The historic encounter at Hollywoodbets Kings Park kicks off at 19h00 on Tuesday evening and will be broadcast on SuperSport.
**Hollywoodbets Sharks team:** 15 Zekhethelo Siyaya, 14 Donavan Don, 13 Jurenzo Julius, 12 Murray Koster, 11 Litelihle Bester, 10 Vusi Moyo, 9 Bradley Davids, 8 Nick Hatton (captain), 7 Manu Tshituka, 6 Phepsi Buthelezi, 5 Emile van Heerden, 4 Hendre Stassen, 3 Vincent Koch, 2 Eduan Swart, 1 Nemo Roelofse. **Replacements:** 16 Liam van Wyk, 17 Rambo Kubekha, 18 Simphiwe Ngobese, 19 Vincent Tshituka, 20 Matt Romao, 21 Ivan van Zyl, 22 Luan Giliomee, 23 Ma’a Nonu.
Source: Original report at SA Rugby.
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