The two coastal teams with a rich history of rivalry go head-to-head in a potentially explosive Carling Currie Cup clash at Hollywoodbets Kings Park on Friday evening.
Hollywoodbets Sharks XV head coach JP Pietersen has had his hand forced in terms of team selection, having to make numerous enforced changes, as well as bringing back some players from rest.
“Paschal Ekeji suffered a concussion in the game last Friday so he isn’t available,” explained Pietersen, “while Christie Grobbelaar, Vusi Moyo and Tiaan Fourie got called up to the VURC squad, John Plumtree wants to see how they look in the that set-up.
“Bradley Davids was on a break, so he’s back on the bench, Tino Mavesere also had a break so he’s back and Matt Romao is also with the URC squad.”
With Davids on the bench alongside Corne Rahl and Jannes Potgieter, there is some experience that will come onto the field later, a necessary introduction in the latter part of the game.
“There is some experience there, Corne is back from an ankle injury so we’ve had to look after him, but their experience will help us a lot in the second half. Last week we couldn’t get our game going in the second half because Suzuki Griquas put us under a lot of pressure, but with that experience coming off the bench, they will help us control the game better.”
With both teams fighting for a first win, Pietersen is hoping his young team pull oput all the stops.
“We’re in the same boat, both developing players that are going to be good enough for the VURC, and I’m looking for a good, complete performance from the boys on Friday, we’ve played some good first halves and some good second halves, but there have been lapses in concentration.
“We definitely want to win games, what we can control as coaches is the performance, if we get a complete 80 minute performance from the boys, there is a great chance of winning games.
“There have been lots of good chats, John Plumtree has spoken to them about how they’re performing and how they’re in the mix.
“So there are good, positive chats coming from him talking to the players.
“Yes we do want to win games, but the main objective is to blood young players and get them ready for the VURC.”