Springbok great JP Pietersen wants more Currie Cup glory for the Sharks

The former Stormers prop Lee Marvin Mazibuko is a surprise starter in the Sharks’ Currie Cup side that travels to the Lions for the tournament opener at Ellis Park on Saturday.

The 27-year-old returns to South Africa after a stint in France with Racing 92.

The Sharks team is captained by loose forward Nick Hatton, who featured prominently when the Sharks won the title last year, ironically in a final against the Lions.

Hatton and the Sharks return to the scene of the “crime” with a youthful but determined side, and once more they are coached by former Springbok wing JP Pietersen.

“What a challenge for this young group to go up to Joburg, to test ourselves and get into the fight,” said Pietersen.

“We’re excited for the campaign. We have a young group, but there is experience in Nick Hatton and (scrumhalf) Bradley Davids, and hopefully they’ll just continue to grow and get even better. But with this young group of players, it’s exciting.”

Pietersen expects the Lions to come out firing.

“They’ll want to speed up the game, play fast to put us under pressure, and attack us at set-piece time as well,” he explained.

“They have a good kicking game, we know what to expect, but we’ve prepared well for this Saturday. The challenge will be for the young men to stay in the fight and not become overwhelmed with the tempo of the Lions’ play, and to handle the pressure.”

Pietersen stressed the importance of composure.

“The main thing from us is to control the controllables. If we can do that, we have a good opportunity. We have youth, we have hunger, we have power, and if we can stay in the fight until the end, that gives us the opportunity to get a result.”

Kick-off at Ellis Park is at 3pm on Saturday.

SHARKS XV

15 Hakeem Kunene, 14 Phiko Sobahle, 13 Litelihle Bester, 12 Janco Purchase*, 11 Khuthi Rasivhaga*, 10 Jean Smith, 9 Bradley Davids, 8 Nick Hatton (capt), 7 Jannes Potgieter, 6 Sphephelo Mbonambi*, 5 Deon Slabbert, 4 Gideon Koegelenberg, 3 Mawande Mdanda, 2 Bryce Calvert, 1 Phatu Ganyane

Bench: 16 Liam van Wyk*, 17 Dian Bleuler, 18 Lee-Marvin Mazibuko, 19 Kuhle Mthimkhulu*, 20 Thomas Dyer, 21 Tiaan Fourie, 22 Drico Marx*, 23 Chijindu Okonta*

*Denotes possible Currie Cup debut