The defending champions continue to set the pace at the top of the log and, with the business end of the competition now coming into view, remain the side everyone is chasing. The Sharks XV, meanwhile, breathed new life into their semi-final hopes with a hard-fought 19-12 victory over the Boland Cavaliers last weekend. 

That result has put them firmly back in the playoff conversation, although the trip to the Northern Cape represents a considerably tougher challenge.

Friday’s fixture will be the Sharks XV’s fourth and final away match of the campaign, and head coach Mike Vowles knows exactly what awaits his charges in Kimberley.

With the Currie Cup matches taking place on Saturday and the Sharks’ United Rugby Championship squad having faced the All Blacks in Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series on Tuesday evening, Vowles has had to carefully manage his resources and workload.

Several players were involved in both campaigns, forcing changes to the Sharks’ line-up, particularly in the forwards. Despite the disruption, Vowles believes the squad travelling north is more than capable of rising to the occasion.

Luan Giliomee in action against Munster. Photo: X

“We’ve had a really good week of preparation and taken a lot of confidence from our performance against Boland, which we’re looking to build on this Friday evening,” said Vowles.

“We’re really excited about the opportunity to play the Griquas at home. We know they’re a tough team, and they’re never easy to play in Kimberley, but it’s a battle we’ve prepared well for and one we’re confident going into.”

The Sharks have made several changes following Tuesday night’s clash with the All Blacks, with Vowles particularly proud of the Currie Cup players who earned their opportunity on the bigger stage.

“There have been some changes to our starting line-up because the URC team played against the All Blacks on Tuesday night. We were very fortunate to have some of our Currie Cup group represented in that match-day squad,” he said.

“We’re massively proud of the effort they put in, and the fact that they were able to represent the union at that level is a great indication of where the Currie Cup competition sits and the hard work going into it.”

The front row sees two changes, with Rambo Kubeka and Simphiwe Ngobese moving to the bench after their involvement against the All Blacks. Jaco du Toit and Lee-Marvin Mazibuko come into the starting XV.

Mike Vowles. Photo: X

There is also a reshuffle in the loose forwards following a rib injury to Tom Dyer. Wasi Vyambwera moves to No 7, with Tino Mavesere shifting to openside flank and Hanu Pieterse starting at eighthman.

In the backline, Albie Bester will make his first Currie Cup start of the season, while Janco Purchase drops to the bench. Luan Giliomee, who also featured briefly on Tuesday, retains the No 15 jersey.

Jacques Marais comes onto the replacements bench at hooker in place of the injured Kieren van Vuuren, while Danio Botha replaces Willem van der Heever, who suffered an HIA during the win over Boland.

Vowles believes the changes have created an exciting mix of players who are hungry to make their mark.

“It’s an exciting group. They would have been tested physically on Tuesday night and are very keen to get back onto the Currie Cup field and compete,” he said.

“It’s a group we have full confidence in to put in a good performance on Friday.”

Friday’s game at the Suzuki Stadium kicks off at 17:00.

Griquas - TBA

Sharks - 15 Luan Giliomee, 14 Christie Grobbelaar, 13 Lyle Matthews, 12 Albie Bester, 11 Khuthi Rasivhaga, 10 Tim Swiel, 9 Ross Braude (captain), 8 Hanu Pieterse, 7 Wasi Vyambwera, 6 Tino Mavesere, 5 Meno Barnard, 4 Johan Momsen, 3 Lee-Marvin Mazibuko, 2 Liam van Wyk, 1 Jaco du Toit

Replacements - 16 Jacques Marais, 17 Rambo Kubheka, 18 Simphiwe Ngobese, 19 Danio Botha, 20 Sphephelo Mbonambi, 21 Juan Loots, 22 Janco Purchase, 23 Chijindu Okonta

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek cvs/mvh