Flanker Bathobele Hlekani will start for the Sharks against Toulouse in the Investec Champions Cup on Sunday.
The Junior Boks’ star has already made three Vodacom URC appearances for the Durban-based side, and also featured in this year’s Currie Cup, but gets his first opportunity in Europe’s top tier along with lock JJ Scheepers.
Nick Hatton will captain the side in what will be John Plumtree’s last match as Sharks head coach.
MORE: JP takes over from Plum at Shark Tank
SHARKS – 15 Hakeem Kunene , 14 Yaw Penxe, 13 Le Roux Malan, 12 Francois Venter, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Jordan Hendrikse, 9 Ross Braude, 8 Nick Hatton (c), 7 Bathobele Hlekani, 6 Matt Romao, 5 Marvin Orie, 4 JJ Scheepers, 3 Mawande Mdanda, 2 Eduan Swart, 1 Lee-Marvin Mazibuko.
Bench: 16 Fez Mbatha, 17 Simphiwe Ngobese, 18 Cebo Dlamini, 19 Jannes Potgieter, 20 Tinotenda Mavesere, 21 Jaden Hendrikse, 22 Jean Smith, 23 Phikolomzi Sobahle.
The 2025/26 season starts, NOW!
The #InvestecChampionsCup is Where Extraordinary Happens, who will lift the trophy in Bilbao?
Get tickets for the final now
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— Investec Champions Cup (@ChampionsCup) December 5, 2025
ALSO: Keo backs Vodacom Bulls and Stormers in Champions Cup openers
Photo: Chris Fairweather/Gallo Images
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