Many Sharks supporters have wondered what has become of the top players who are not involved with the Springboks, but are also not playing in the Currie Cup.
Coach JP Pietersen has the answer ahead of tomorrow’s visit to the Lions at Ellis Park (3pm start).
“If you ask about players like Siya Masuku, Ethan Hooker and Gerbrandt Grobler, they are not allowed to play in the Currie Cup over eight weeks because of an agreement between SA Rugby and the players’ union, My Players,” Pietersen explained yesterday.
This answers a big question as to why the top Currie Cup teams are not playing their United Rugby Championship players who are not in the Springbok set-up.
It also explains why a player like Phepsi Buthelezi, who has been cut from the Bok squad for the Rugby Championship, cannot play for the Sharks this week when they visit the Lions.
“The senior Sharks players are not involved at this stage, and we have made it clear that we will be blooding youngsters in the Currie Cup,” Pietersen explained.
“We are looking at the new guys and seeing if they can make it at the URC level. If you look at our squad, 80% of the players are under 23. It will take time to bring these guys forward.
“I grew up as a Sharks fan and want the Sharks to win. It might not be sunshine and rainbows right now, but we are on the right path. We are working hard, and we ask for patience with these young men.”
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— The Sharks (@SharksRugby) July 25, 2024
Jurenzo Julius is among three Junior Springboks who will make starting debuts in Johannesburg tomorrow.
There are two changes amongst the forwards – tighthead prop Mawande Mdanda starts for IG Prinsloo, while Batho Hlekani makes his debut, coming in at lock ahead of Reinier Viljoen, while Litelihle Bester will don the No 13 jersey.
Lionel Cronjé returns after missing last week’s match, replacing Tiaan Swanepoel at flyhalf, while wing Jaco Williams gets a start after playing off the bench for Eduan Keyter in a straight jersey swap.
There is a new midfield pairing at centre, both debutants, with Julius and Bester in for Alwayno Visagie and Muller du Plessis respectively.
On the bench, there are further debutants in hooker Bryce Calvert, fellow forwards Kabous Bezuidenhout and Hennie Sieberhagen, and utility back Scott Nel.
Sharks XV Team
15 Hakeem Kunene 14 Yaw Penxe 13 Litelihle Bester 12 Jurenzo Julius 11 Jaco Williams 10 Lionel Cronjé 9 Bradley Davids 8 Nick Hatton (captain) 7 Jannes Potgieter 6 Siya Ningiza 5 Reniel Hugo 4 Batho Hlekani 3 Mawande Mdanda 2 Dan Jooste 1 Braam Reyneke.
Bench: 16 Bryce Calvert 17 Dian Bleuler 18 Kabous Bezuidenhout 19 Hennie Sieberhagen 20 Tino Mavesere 21 Tian Meyer 22 Scott Nel 23 Eduan Keyter.