Thaakir Abrahams Sharks

The Sharks’ former South Africa under-20s wing Thaakir Abrahams will join Lyon on a two-year deal next season. Photo by Lee Warren/Gallo Images

Currie Cup Premier Division: Sharks vs Western Province preview

Sharks vs Western Province: The hosts are playing for the luxury of perhaps snatching top spot from the Bulls while WP must win to avoid missing out on a semi-final berth.

Thaakir Abrahams Sharks

The Sharks’ former South Africa under-20s wing Thaakir Abrahams will join Lyon on a two-year deal next season. Photo by Lee Warren/Gallo Images

Sharks vs Western Province: The hosts are playing for the luxury of perhaps snatching top spot from the Bulls while WP must win to avoid missing out on a semi-final berth.

Sharks vs Western Province: Preview

The final match of the Currie Cup’s round robin phase is a coastal derby playing out in Durban with high stakes.

Last weekend’s results ensured that the Sharks secured second place, while Western Province’s defeat to Griquas leaves them needing to pull out all the stops to prevent the proud union from missing out on the playoffs for the first time since 2008.

The Sharks have seen two halfbacks play their way into the Springbok group but still have Sanele Nohamba to fill the number nine jersey and Cameron Wright in reserve. Grant Williams was the spark for the Sharks last weekend and has set the bar high for Nohamba, who was himself in the Springbok picture not too long ago.

Western Province have opted to continue the rest period of top try-scorer Evan Roos, with Hacjivah Dayimani retaining the number eight jersey.

There are five changes to the Western Province forward pack for this crucial Currie Cup clash.

Up front there are two new props in Leon Lyons and Neethling Fouche starting on either side of hooker Andre-Hugo Venter.

Johan du Toit shifts from the loose trio into the second row, with flanks Deon Fourie and Marcel Theunissen coming into the starting line-up on the side of the scrum.

In the backline Juan de Jongh comes back in at outside centre and Ruhan Nel moves out to the right wing, with Sergeal Petersen at fullback in place of Warrick Gelant who has a minor injury niggle.

Sharks head coach Sean Everitt has made several changes to last week’s side, bringing in a new front row of Ntuthuko Mchunu, Kerron van Vuuren and Khutha Mchunu for Khwezi Mona, Dan Jooste and Lourens Adriaanse respectively, while Le Roux Roets joins Gerbrandt Grobler in the second row in place of Emile van Heerden and James Venter replaces Dylan Richardson in the final change to the pack.

Nohamba comes in for Williams and there is a new centre partnership with Murray Koster and Werner Kok taking over from Marius Louw and Jeremy Ward. The final change sees Curwin Bosch in for Anthony Volmink at fullback.

Teams: Sharks vs Western Province

Sharks starting XV: 15 Curwin Bosch, 14 Yaw Penxe, 13 Werner Kok, 12 Murray Koster, 11 Thaakir Abrahams, 10 Lionel Cronje, 9 Sanele Nohamba; 8 Phepsi Buthelezi (c), 7 Henco Venter, 6 James Venter, 5 Gerbrandt Grobler, 4 Le Roux Roets, 3 Khutha Mchunu, 2 Kerron van Vuuren, 1 Ntuthuko Mchunu.

Replacements: 16 Dan Jooste, 17 Khwezi Mona, 18 Lourens Adriaanse, 19 Reniel Hugo, 20 Thembelani Bholi, 21 Cameron Wright, 22 Marius Louw, 23 Anthony Volmink

Western Province starting XV: 15 Sergeal Petersen, 14 Ruhan Nel, 13 Juan de Jongh, 12 Dan du Plessis, 11 Edwill van der Merwe, 10 Tim Swiel, 9 Paul de Wet, 8 Hacjivah Dayimani, 7 Marcel Theunissen, 6 Deon Fourie, 5 Johan du Toit, 4 Ernst van Rhyn (captain), 3 Neethling Fouche, 2 Andre-Hugo Venter, 1 Leon Lyons.

Replacements (from): 16 JJ Kotze, 17 Dian Bleuler, 18 Sazi Sandi, 19 Simon Miller, 20 Nama Xaba, 21 Godlen Masimla, 22 Rikus Pretorius, 23 Tristan Leyds, 24 Justin Basson, 25 De Wet Marais.

Match information, kick-off time, live stream and tv details

Sharks vs Western Province

Date: Saturday, 28 August

Venue: Kings Park, Durban

Kick-off: 19:00

Referee: Marius van der Westhuizen

Assistant Referees: Paul Mente, local appointment

Television Match Official: Aimee Barrett-Theron

TV: SuperSport

Stream: DStv Now, Showmax Pro

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