Both Connacht and the Hollywoodbets Sharks are aiming for only their second wins this season when they meet in Galway, where the hosts will run out with the knowledge that they have lost their last four matches against South African opposition.
Their last victory over a team from the Republic was when they beat the KwaZulu-Natalians by 36-30 in September 2024.
The Hollywoodbets Sharks’ most recent away win in the Vodacom URC was at Ulster at the end of April, which was also their only victory in Ireland in 10 attempts.
After winning their first clash in April 2022 in Durban, the Hollywoodbets Sharks have lost three on the bounce against their hosts this weekend.
Paul Boyle captains Connacht from openside flanker, in what is an unchanged back row from the side that started the last game against Munster, with Josh Murphy on the opposite flank and Sean Jansen at number 8.
Roscommon brothers Niall Murray and Darragh Murray are paired together in the second row, while the pack is completed by hooker Dave Heffernan and props Jordan Duggan and Jack Aungier.
In the backs, Ben Murphy and Josh Ioane continue their partnership at 9 and 10, as do the Galway duo of Cathal Forde and Hugh Gavin in the centre. Shayne Bolton and Chay Mullins are selected on the wings with Sean Naughton at full-back.
Among the replacements is new signing Sam Gilbert, who will make his debut if called upon, as well as Bundee Aki, fresh off his exploits with Ireland during the November internationals.
Currie Cup-winning Griquas flyhalf George Whitehead will start for the Sharks against Connacht in Galway on Saturday.
The Sharks have turned to one of the Currie Cup’s most experienced campaigners to steer them through tricky Irish conditions.
Whitehead, who famously slotted the injury-time penalty that won Griquas this year’s Currie Cup final, has been drafted straight into the No 10 jersey for his Sharks debut.
The backline is brimming with talent. Makazole Mapimpi and Edwill van der Merwe, who is also back from international duty, will start at wing, respectively. Jordan Hendrikse is poised to add his kicking prowess at fullback.
In the midfield, experienced campaigner Francois Venter teams up with rising star Jurenzo Julius, forming a centre pairing that blends leadership with youthful energy.
The forward pack is equally impressive; Marvin Orie and Jason Jenkins are in the second row.
Matt Romao makes his debut in the loose trio alongside the Tshituka brothers, Vincent and Emmanuel.
Phatu Ganyane, Fez Mbatha, and Hanro Jacobs will pack down at the front of the scrums.
Teams:
Connacht: 15 Sean Naughton, 14 Chay Mullins, 13 Hugh Gavin, 12 Cathal Forde, 11 Shayne Bolton, 10 Josh Ioane, 9 Ben Murphy, 8 Sean Jansen, 7 Paul Boyle (c), 6 Josh Murphy, 5 Darragh Murray, 4 Niall Murray, 3 Jack Aungier, 2 Dave Heffernan, 1 Jordan Duggan. Replacements: 16 Eoin de Buitlear, 17 Denis Buckley, 18 Sam Illo, 19 David O’Connor, 20 Sean O’Brien, 21 Matthew Devine, 22 Bundee Aki, 23 Sam Gilbert.
Hollywoodbets Sharks: 15 Jordan Hendrikse, 14 Edwill van der Merwe, 13 Jurenzo Julius, 12 Francois Venter, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 George Whitehead, 9 Jaden Hendrikse, 8 Emmanuel Tshituka, 7 Vincent Tshituka (c), 6 Matt Romao, 5 Marvin Orie, 4 Jason Jenkins, 3 Hanro Jacobs, 2 Fez Mbatha, 1 Phatu Ganyane. Replacements: 16 Eduan Swart, 17 Lee-Marvin Mazibuko, 18 Mawande Mdanda, 19 Emile van Heerden, 20 Phepsi Buthelezi, 21 Grant Williams, 22 Le Roux Malan, 23 Hakeem Kunene.