Junior Bok powerhouse Batho Hlekani will make his first start of the Currie Cup campaign when the Sharks XV face Griquas in Kimberley on Friday.
Fresh from a two-week stint in Rassie Erasmus’ Springbok training camp, the 20-year-old bruiser slots in at blindside flank for JP Pietersen’s youthful side. The Lions-bound Hlekani made his Sharks XV debut in the same round last year – but at lock – and will now look to make his mark in his preferred position.
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Pietersen has made several tweaks to the side that pushed the Cheetahs hard in Durban last week. Up front, Bryce Calvert returns at hooker, Deon Slabbert replaces Corne Rahl at lock, and Matt Romao shifts to No 8.
Our Hollywoodbets Sharks XV team for Friday’s match
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In the backline, SA U20 scrumhalf Ceano Everson replaces Bradley Davids, ex-NFL hopeful Paschal Ekeji takes over from Yaw Penxe at wing, and Blitzbok speedster Christie Grobbelaar comes in for Phikolomzi Sobahle.
The Sharks are on the road for the third time in four weeks as they look to topple the 2022 finalists in front of a passionate Kimberley crowd. Kick-off at Suzuki Stadium is at 3pm.
SHARKS XV – 15 Jaco Williams, 14 Christie Grobbelaar, 13 Diego Apollis, 12 Marnus Potgieter, 11 Paschal Ekeji, 10 Vusi Moyo, 9 Ceano Everson, 8 Matt Romao, 7 Bathobele Hlekani, 6 Nicholas Hatton (c), 5 Deon Slabbert, 4 Gideon Koegelenberg, 3 Lee-Marvin Mazibuko, 2 Bryce Calvert, 1 Phatu Ganyane
Bench: 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
Photo: Dirk Kotze/Gallo Images
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