Currie Cup kickoff for the Sharks

Steve Haag Gallo Images

Jean Deysel is set to lead the Sharks as captain.

A Currie Cup match for the Sharks seven days after the Super Rugby final against the Chiefs? You had better believe it, although the reality of the situation is that neither the Sharks nor Western Province will bear any resemblance to the Sharks and Stormers sides that did battle on the same pitch two weeks ago.

Both squads have been denuded of their experienced talent by call-ups to the Springbok squad for the Rugby Championship that kicks off next week – funnily enough, also at Newlands, with a match between the Springboks and Argentina.

The Sharks have just one player who started against the Chiefs in action tomorrow in Paul Jordaan, while Province have nine players making their Currie Cup debuts.

It sounds like a Vodacom Cup clash, except that each side still has a backbone of experienced players and the newcomers are the pick of the emerging talent in each of the regions.

It is a brave new world that is being launched in this first round of Currie Cup action, and players who might be unknown now could be stars by the end of this competition.

Earlier this week, coach John Plumtree pointed out the example of flanker Marcell Coetzee, who debuted in the Currie Cup this time last year and within a year became a Springbok.

It is absolutely true that in the field of unknowns are future Springboks, and that is what makes the modern-day Currie Cup so special. It remains a premier competition, producing the country’s next galaxy of stars.

So we should not denigrate this weekend’s fixtures, but rather welcome them for the possibilities they will expose.

Adding further interest is the fact that we can have no idea how the teams will play, what tactics and battle plans they will employ.

They are unknown quantities led by unproven captains. In the case of the Sharks, Jean Deysel will lead the team for the first time, while WP have a new leader in flanker Deon Fourie.

The defending champions are the Lions, and they will have two World Cup-winning Springboks in their side when they host the Cheetahs at Coca-Cola Park today.

The Sharks will boast five Springboks in their ranks in wing Odwa Ndungane, flanker Deysel, flyhalf Riaan Viljoen and centre Meyer Bosman, with centre Marius Joubert named on the bench.

* Kick-off: 7pm tonight