The battle between the Hollywoodbets Sharks and Ospreys in Bridgend on Saturday at 20:45 (SA Time) has all the makings of an epic battle, given their close log positions, the fact that the Durbanites have won only one more match than their Welsh hosts, and both teams under immense pressure to try to force their way into the top eight.
The men from KZN boast a better attack with 322 points scored to 293 by the home side; however, Ospreys have been marginally better on defence, while they have also remained unbeaten at home in their last four Vodacom URC matches. With nothing to lose for both teams, it should be a humdinger.
Andre Esterhuizen leads a well-rounded Hollywoodbets Sharks match 23, one in which head coach JP Pietersen has had no hesitation in handing the talented 18-year-old Zekhethelo Siyaya a first start at fullback, also welcoming back a number of stalwarts set to feature in this match.
The Ospreys have named Jac Morgan as captain of the side.
Gareth Thomas starts for the Ospreys at loosehead, with Sam Parry lining up at hooker and Tom Botha completing the front three.
Huw Sutton and Ryan Smith start in the second row. James Ratti lines up at six, Jac Morgan takes up the other flank, and Morgan Morris starts at eight.
Kieran Hardy starts at scrum half with Dan Edwards at 10. Owen Watkin partners with Evardi Boshoff in the centre.
In the back three, Iestyn Hopkins starts at full back, with Luke Morgan on one wing and Dan Kasende on the other.
Teams
Ospreys: 15 Iestyn Hopkins, 14 Luke Morgan, 13 Evardi Boshoff, 12 Owen Watkin, 11 Dan Kasende, 10 Dan Edwards, 9 Kieran Hardy, 8 Morgan Morris, 7 Jac Morgan (c), 6 James Ratti, 5 Ryan Smith, 4 Huw Sutton, 3 Tom Botha, 2 Sam Parry, 1 Gareth Thomas. Replacements: 16 Efan Daniel, 17 Garyn Phillips, 18 Ben Warren, 19 Ross Moriarty, 20 Harri Deaves, 21 Reuben Morgan-Williams, 22 Phil Cokanasiga, 23 Jack Walsh
Hollywoodbets Sharks: 15 Zekhethelo Siyaya, 14 Edwill van der Merwe, 13 Le Roux Malan, 12 Andre Esterhuizen (c), 11 Ethan Hooker, 10 Jean Smith, 9 Jaden Hendrikse, 8 Manu Tshituka, 7 Vincent Tshituka, 6 Phepsi Buthelezi, 5 Emile van Heerden, 4 Jason Jenkins, 3 Hanro Jacobs, 2 Fez Mbatha, 1 Phatu Ganyane. Replacements: 16 Eduan Swart, 17 Ox Nche, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 Corne Rahl, 20 Nick Hatton, 21 Bradley Davids, 22 Siya Masuku, 23 Jurenzo Julius.