The Sharks have finally silenced the whispers about the future of their rising star, Junior Boks flanker Batho Hlekani. In a recent plot twist at Wednesday's presser, Novashni Chetty, Sharks' GM, slammed the door on any early exit rumors. Hlekani, who's been poached by the Lions, is sticking it out in Durban till the year's end. Meanwhile, he's snagged his first Currie Cup start this season, fresh off a training stint with the Springboks.
When probed about what spices up Hlekani's game, Sharks coach JP Pietersen kept it short and sweet:
"Momentum and gain line."
His inclusion is a strategic shuffle in the lineup following a nail-biter loss to the Cheetahs in Clermont.The team sees a few more tweaks with Bryce Calvert hooking back in, Deon Slabbert locking down, and Matt Romao beefing up the No. 8 spot. On the faster side of things, Ceano Everson takes the scrumhalf reins, Paschal Ekeji dashes in for Yaw Penxe, and Christie Grobbelaar, a Blitzboks flyer, fills in on the right wing.
Pietersen spilled some beans on the new faces: "Corne's ankle took him out of the game, and Yaw's knee wasn't playing nice either. Paschal, fresh from an NFL flirt, has gelled nicely with the squad. He's fast, leaps like a gazelle, and he's hungry for this." On Grobbelaar's inclusion, it’s clear the speedster is more than just fast legs.
"He’s tall, fast, can jump high and he’s worked hard for this opportunity. We’re excited to see what he can bring."
Despite a recent loss, Pietersen sees a silver lining, "The tussle with the Cheetahs showed us what we're capable of. We're inching closer, and Kimberley's quirks won't throw us off our game." Echoing this, Captain Nick Hatton is all revved up for redemption, "Last week lit a fire in us. We're not just here to play; we're here to win."
With their eyes set on a victory against the Griquas, the Sharks are not just dipping their toes but diving headfirst into the deep end, hoping to turn the tide in their favor this Friday.