Sharks call in Junior Bok stars
07/25/2024 07:53 AM
Jurenzo Julius is among three Junior Springboks who will make starting debuts for the Sharks XV in the Currie Cup clash with the Lions in Johannesburg on Saturday.
The JP Pietersen-coached Sharks XV will travel to Ellis Park looking to rebound from a disappointing home defeat to the Pumas with their first win of the season against the unbeaten Lions.
Pietersen has made a number of changes this week, including naming a handful of debutants who get their first taste of Currie Cup rugby.
There are two changes amongst the forwards, tighthead prop Mawande Mdanda starts for IG Prinsloo while Batho Hlekani makes his debut, starting at lock ahead of Reinier Viljoen.
Lionel Cronje returns after missing last week's match, replacing Tiaan Swanepoel at flyhalf while Jaco Williams gets a start after playing off the bench, in for Eduan Keyter in a straight jersey swap.
There is a new midfield pairing at centre, both debutants, with Jurenzo Julius and Lili 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 — 15 Hakeem Kunene, 14 Yaw Penxe, 13 Lili Bester, 12 Jurenzo Julius, 11 Jaco Williams, 10 Lionel Cronje, 9 Bradley Davids, 8 Nick Hatton (c), 7 Jannes Potgieter, 6 Siya Ningiza, 5 Reniel Hugo, 4 Batho Hlekani, 3 Mawande Mdanda, 2 Dan Jooste, 1 Braam Reyneke.
Subs: 16 Bryce Calvert, 17 Dian Bleuler, 18 Kabous Bezuidenhout, 19 Hennie Sieberhagen, 20 Tino Mavesere, 21 Tian Meyer, 22 Scott Nel, 23 Eduan Keyter.
Photo: Steve Haag Sports/Gallo Images
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