Vusi Moyo will spearhead the Sharks attack, with Nick Hatton captaining the side from No 8, against the Ospreys at Kings Park on Saturday.
It will be the first time the Sharks kick off a URC campaign on home soil in a match that also marks the dawn of a new chapter under head coach JP Pietersen, who starts his first full season in charge.
Bulls-bound Luan Giliomee starts at fullback, with former Stormer Suleiman Hartzenberg and Litelihle Bester on the wings, and Jurenzo Julius and Murray Koster in midfield. Bok scrumhalf Jaden Hendrikse partners Moyo.
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In the pack, Hatton combines with Manu Tshituka and Phepsi Buthelezi in the loose trio, Corné Rahl joins Darrien Landsberg in the second row, with Phatu Ganyane, Eduan Swart and Bok Vincent Koch in the front row.
The fleet-footed Zekhethelo Siyaya will provide spark from the bench.
The Ospreys beat the Sharks 21-17 in Bridgend in April, but have lost their last five matches in South Africa. Honours have gone to the home team in the last four meetings between the sides, including a 29-10 win in May 2025.
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SHARKS – 15 Luan Giliomee, 14 Suleiman Hartzenberg, 13 Jurenzo Julius, 12 Murray Koster, 11 Litelihle Bester, 10 Vusi Moyo, 9 Jaden Hendrikse, 8 Nick Hatton (c), 7 Manu Tshituka, 6 Phepsi Buthelezi, 5 Darrien Landsberg, 4 Corné Rahl, 3 Vincent Koch, 2 Eduan Swart, 1 Phatu Ganyane.
Bench: 16 Esethu Mnebelele, 17 Nemo Roelofse, 18 Hanro Jacobs, 19 Jason Jenkins, 20 Matt Romao, 21 Ivan van Zyl, 22 Siya Masuku, 23 Zekhethelo Siyaya.
OSPREYS – 15 Iestyn Hopkins, 14 Tom Rogers, 13 Owen Watkin (c), 12 Lalakai Foketi, 11 Luke Morgan, 10 Lawson Creighton, 9 Luke Davies, 8 Morgan Morris, 7 Ross Moriarty, 6 Liam Wright, 5 Rhys Davies, 4 James Ratti, 3 Tom Botha, 2 Sam Parry (c), 1 Steffan Thomas.
Bench: 16 Efan Daniel, 17 Gareth Thomas, 18 Rhys Henry, 19 Ryan Smith, 20 Harri Deaves, 21 Kieran Hardy, 22 Harri Wilde, 23 Evardi Boshoff.
Photo: Steve Haag/Gallo Images
The post Moyo to marshall Sharks in URC opener appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Vusi Moyo will spearhead the Sharks attack, with Nick Hatton captaining the side from No 8, against the Ospreys at Kings Park on Saturday.
The post Moyo to marshall Sharks in URC opener appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Read More
