The Sharks have named a side blended with exciting youth and Vodacom United Rugby Championship experience for the Currie Cup opener against newly-promoted Griffons in Durban on Saturday.
24-year-old inside centre Murray Koster will captain the Sharks for the match, which kicks-off at 1.30pm at Kings Park.
The home side’s team features a number of Vodacom URC regulars, including Koster’s centre partner Marnus Potgieter, wing Yaw Penxe, flyhalf Lionel Cronje, lock Thembelani Bholi and front rowers Carlu Sadie and Fez Mbatha.
Otherwise, the Sharks have a youthful look to them, with 22-year-old Celimpilo Gumede forming the back row with former Junior Springbok Siya Ningiza and 24-year-old Zimbabwean international Tino Mavesere.
Props Dian Bleuler and Khutha Mchunu add experience to a bench chock full of youth players, including scrumhalf Bradley Davids, who recently made his Vodacom URC debut.
Sharks – 15 Nevaldo Fleurs, 14 Yaw Penxe, 13 Marnus Potgieter, 12 Murray Koster (c), 11 Anthony Volmink, 10 Lionel Cronje, 9 Zee Mkhabela, 8 Celimpilo Gumede, 7 Siya Ningiza, 6 Tino Mavesere, 5 Ockie Barnard, 4 Thembelani Bholi, 3 Carlu Sadie, 2 Fez Mbatha, 1 Khwezi Mona.
Subs: 16 Masikane Mazwi, 17 Dian Bleuler, 18 Khutha Mchunu, 19 Athenkosi Khetahani, 20 Marco de Wit, 21 Damon Royal, 22 Bradley Davids, 23 Alwayno Visagie.
Photo: Steve Haag/Gallo Images