Saturday’s Vodacom United Rugby Championship quarter-final clash with Munster at Hollywoodbets Kings Park at 18:30 (SA Time) looks set to enjoy all kinds of fireworks between the two protagonists.
Head coach John Plumtree has made five changes to the side that defeated Scarlets in the final week of VURC pool action, bringing in some key players to do battle against the former champions.
In the first change, Jason Jenkins and Emile van Heerden swap jerseys in the lock position, with the former starting in place of the latter this week. James Venter returns to action after sustaining a neck injury against Ospreys and takes over from Tino Mavesere at flank, while two-time Rugby World Cup winning captain Siya Kolisi returns to the starting line-up at eighthman after taking a Springbok-enforced rest against Scarlets, replacing Phepsi Buthelezi, who will provide energy off the bench.
There are two further changes in the backline as Plumtree welcomes back the Springbok duo of Jordan Hendrikse who replaces the injured Siya Masuku at flyhalf and another dual Rugby World Cup winner, Lukhanyo Am (who will earn his 100th cap for the Hollywoodbets Sharks in international competitions) returns in place of Jurenzo Julius at outside centre.
Although the Hollywoodbets Sharks have played in some tight games in the run-in to the knock-outs, captain Eben Etzebeth admits that this has been good prep for this stage of the tournament.
“We’ve seen in the past that play-offs can be tight affairs, and winning tight games is something we’ve done a bit of this year,” he explains. “Last year, when we ended up lower on the log, we lost those tight games, but this year we’ve turned things around and won them.
“We’re used to those kinds of games, hopefully we don’t make it that tight on Saturday.”
While his side is filled with Springboks, Munster come to Durban having proved their worth over the years and Etzebeth is under no illusions as to what is coming.
“They’re a quality side, and it’s probably going to come down to discipline on the day and who has the better goal-kicker. It’s going to be a very close game.”
With injuries and Springbok resting protocols, there have been opportunities for many of the players within the wider squad, and they’ve all shown the drive and ability to play at a high level.
“A lot of guys got exposure this season, we’ve seen Ethan Hooker who has been amazing this season, the front row off the bench have really grown and put in great performances in the last few weeks. So, there are some young guys getting more and more game time and it feels that the more opportunities they’re given, the more confident they get and the better they play.”
Hollywoodbets Sharks
- Ox Nche
- Bongi Mbonambi
- Vincent Koch
- Eben Etzebeth (Captain)
- Jason Jenkins
- James Venter
- Vincent Tshituka
- Siya Kolisi (v/c)
- Jaden Hendrikse
- Jordan Hendrikse
- Makazole Mapimpi
- Andre Esterhuizen
- Lukhanyo Am*
- Ethan Hooker
- Aphelele Fassi
Replacements
- Fez Mbatha
- Ntuthuko Mchunu
- Hanro Jacobs
- Emile van Heerden
- Phepsi Buthelezi
- Bradley Davids
- Francois Venter
- Yaw Penxe
*Denotes 100th cap for the Hollywoodbets Sharks
Players not considered for selection due to injury:
Grant Williams
Siya Masuku
Trevor Nyakane