Former Bok to steer fresh-faced Sharks

JP Pietersen has been named Sharks head coach for the Currie Cup, with No 8 Nic Hatton set to lead a young lineup in their opener against the Lions in Durban on Friday.

Missing a number of Springboks in the squad for the international season, 2007 World Cup winner Pietersen has balanced regular faces with an exciting group of up-and-comers he has coached at junior level over the last few years.

The likes of veterans Lionel Cronje and Reniel Hugo will guide the dynamic Diego Appollis and former Springbok Sevens alum Muller du Plessis as they look to get stuck into the tournament.

There has been a lull in action for the Sharks after the conclusion of the Vodacom URC and the title-winning Challenge Cup. The Durbanites boast a proud history in the Currie Cup, winning their first title in 1990, followed by several more in the ensuing years.

Sharks – 15 Hakeem Kunene, 14 Yaw Penxe, 13 Diego Appollis, 12 Murray Koster, 11 Jaco Williams, 10 Lionel Cronje, 9 Bradley Davids, 8 Nick Hatton (c), 7 Jannes Potgieter, 6 Tino Mavesere, 5 Reniel Hugo, 4 Coetzee Le Roux, 3 Khwezi Mona, 2 Daniel Jooste, 1 Abraham Reyneke.
Subs: 16 Kerron van Vuuren, 17 Phatu Ganyane, 18 Mawande Mdanda, 19 Reinier Viljoen, 20 Siya Ningiza, 21 Tiaan Fourie, 22 Alwayno Visagie, 23 Muller du Plessis.

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