A former Western Province strongman is named on the bench as the Sharks XV show their hand for their Currie Cup opener against the Lions at Ellis Park on Saturday.

27-year-old Lee Marvin Mazibuko is back in South Africa after a brief stint in France in the colours of Racing 92. Before that, he had been in the blue-and-white hoops of Western Province and the Stormers between 2018 and 2024.

2025 CURRIE CUP SQUADS: Young stars set to shine

Nick Hatton will captain a youthful but determined side for their trip to the highveld, in a repeat of last season’s final which the Sharks XV won in injury time.

The dynamic loose forward, who took over the leadership role in 2023, will lead a squad boasting a blend of fresh talent and hard-won experience into the clash at Ellis Park.

Head coach JP Pietersen, himself a former Sharks and Springbok star, is under no illusions about the challenge his side will face in the highveld heat.

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

“We’re excited for the campaign. We have a young group, but there is experience in Nick Hatton and 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 and stay in the fight. 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 (vc), 8 Nick Hatton (c), 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

Photo: Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images

⚪ Our Hollywoodbets Sharks XV team for the #CurrieCup opener against the Fidelity ADT Lions ⚫

Full team release article on https://t.co/oJw7zMCs1Z#CarlingCurrieCup #CurrieCup #LIOvSHA pic.twitter.com/GlWsVnllKF

— The Sharks (@SharksRugby) July 24, 2025