Currie Cup Round 1: Can the Fierce Pumas Repeat SA Cup Magic Against the Sharks XV?

by Devesh Jaganath | by Devesh Jaganath

image Currie Cup Round 1: Can the Fierce Pumas Repeat SA Cup Magic Against the Sharks XV?
The 2026 Currie Cup Premier Division kicks off with an intriguing clash at Mbombela Stadium this evening, with the Airlink Pumas set to take on the Hollywoodbets Sharks XV. The home side has momentum on their side, while the visitors will be hoping to restore confidence after a disappointing URC season.
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Pumas Carry SA Cup Continuity Advantage Into Currie Cup

The 2026 Currie Cup will get underway at Mbombela Stadium this evening, and the Airlink Pumas are coming into the competition in peak physical and mental condition after winning 10 out of their 11 matches en route to lifting the SA Cup in May.

While elite franchises like the Sharks, Stormers, Bulls, and Lions scramble to integrate newer players due to the ongoing Rugby Nations Championship, smaller unions like the Pumas and defending champions, the Suzuki Griquas, are leveraging months of pre-built chemistry. 

Pumas’ head coach Jimmy Stonehouse has a settled lineup at his disposal led by loose forward Willie Engelbrecht, while key combinations like the halfback pairing of Nevaldo Fleurs and Thomas Bursey have spent the entire winter playing intense, 80-minute battles together.

In contrast, as discussed in our Currie Cup predictions, new Sharks XV head coach Mike Vowles is set to roll the dice on a heavily rotated, somewhat experimental lineup that lacks proper high-quality match-day miles. 

While the Durbanites will field a dangerous, highly experienced halfback pairing in former Pumas scrumhalf Ross Braude and veteran Tim Swiel, beyond those key pillars, the squad will have to rely on unproven depth, which is a huge ask at the high-altitude Mbombela Stadium. 

Pumas vs Sharks: Confirmed Squads for Currie Cup Round 1

Pumas: 15 Jaycee Nel, 14 Lundi Msenge, 13 Sango Xamlashe, 12 Wian van Niekerk, 11 Tino Swanepoel, 10 Nevaldo Fleurs, 9 Thomas Bursey, 8 Willie Engelbrecht (captain), 7 Ruwald van der Merwe, 6 Ntsika Fisanti, 5 Tiaan de Klerk, 4 JJ Scheepers, 3 Sampie Swiegers, 2 Jordan McLoughlin, 1 Kudzwai Dube

Replacements: 16 Chyle van Zyl, 17 Etienne Janeke, 18 Junior Banda, 19 Stephan Krugel, 20 Marvelous Mashimbyi, 21 Russwill Fredericks, 22 Danrich Visagie, 23 Alfonso Isaacs

Sharks: 15 Chijindu Okonta, 14 Christie Grobbelaar, 13 Marnus Potgieter, 12 Janco Purchase, 11 Lyle Matthews, 10 Tim Swiel, 9 Ross Braude, 8 Thomas Dyer (captain), 7 Jannes Potgieter, 6 Willem van den Hever, 5 Deon Slabbert, 4 Johan Momsen, 3 Simphiwe Ngobese, 2 Kerron van Vuuren, 1 Cameron Dawson

Replacements: 16 Jacques Marais, 17 Jaco du Toit, 18 Lee-Marvin Mazibuko, 19 Sipho Nonyalela, 20 Hanu Pieterse, 21 Ceano Everson, 22 Chris Horak, 23 Matthew Fortuin

Rebranded Giants Meet Defending Champions in Cape Town

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The second clash of the opening round brings historical drama to the DHL Stadium as the rebranded Stormers XXIII host the defending champion Suzuki Griquas. 

A new chapter begins in Cape Town this weekend as the storied Western Province name gives way to a single Stormers identity at the senior professional level. However, Tom Dawson-Squibb’s reign starts with a demanding challenge against a notoriously stubborn Kimberley outfit. 

To offset the absence of front-line Springboks, the new head coach has named a heavily experimental matchday squad, featuring six fresh faces, including fullback Dylan Miller, winger Mfundo Ndhlovu, and forward Xola Nyali, all of whom will be making their Currie Cup debuts. 

The Veteran Boost: With injuries and absentees stretching their front-row resources, the Stormers have turned to experience, coaxing Scarra Ntubeni out of retirement to provide valuable bench cover alongside fellow veteran Hencus van Wyk. 

Despite their status as a major URC powerhouse, the Stormers have struggled to contain the Griquas' direct and physical style of play in recent times. Additionally, the Cape Town side has also failed to qualify for the Currie Cup Playoffs since 2021. 

If the Stormers are to avoid an opening-round defeat on home turf this evening, they will need skipper Jean-Luc du Plessis to dictate the game’s pace from flyhalf in an effort to neutralise the settled Griquas’ tactical engine driven by playmaker George Whitehead. 

Stormers vs Griquas: Confirmed Squads for Currie Cup Round 1

Stormers XXIII: 15 Dylan Miller, 14 Gino Cupido, 13 Josh Boulle, 12 Cornel Smit, 11 Mfundo Ndhlovu, 10 Jean-Luc du Plessis (captain), 9 Stefan Ungerer, 8 Wandile Mlaba, 7 Divan Fuller, 6 Keke Morabe, 5 Gerbrandt Grobler, 4 Tom Barnard, 3 Herman Lubbe, 2 Vernon Paulo, 1 Oli Kebble.

Replacements: 16 Scarra Ntubeni, 17 Mhleli Khuzwayo, 18 Hencus van Wyk, 19 Dylan de Leeuw, 20 Enos Ndiao, 21 Xola Nyali, 22 Tiaan Fourie, 23 Dominic Malgas

Griquas: 15 Gurswin Wehr, 14 Dylan Maart, 13 Mnombo Zwelendaba, 12 Sako Makata, 11 Stefan Coetzee, 10 George Whitehead, 9 Bobby Alexander, 8 Dillon Smith, 7 Marco de Witt, 6 Carl Els, 5 Albert Liebenberg (captain), 4 Malembe Mpofu, 3 IG Prinsloo, 2 Janco Uys, 1 Leon Lyons

Replacements: 16 Tiaan Lange, 17 Eddie Davids, 18 Ntobeko Shezi, 19 Derik Pretorius, 20 Lourens Oosthuizen, 21 Caleb Abrahams, 22 Damian Markus, 23 Cameron Hufke