2 October 2026
Hollywoodbets Sharks head coach JP Pietersen has bolstered his squad by naming six returning Springboks in his matchday 23 to face Leinster this Saturday at 18:30 SAST. The Round 2 United Rugby Championship (URC) clash at Hollywoodbets Kings Park marks a major step up in intensity after the Durban side's opening-round bonus-point victory over the Ospreys.
Selection proved straightforward for the coaching staff due to the eagerness of the returning stars. "I think it was quite easy to pick them,” Pietersen told the media on Thursday. “When we asked the players if they’re available and keen to play, they immediately put their hands up, and they were excited to be back."
Managing physical output remained the primary driver behind the team composition for this weekend. “With three of them starting and three of them on the bench, it was all about workload,” Pietersen explained. “Eben, Ox and Ethan played most of the minutes in the last four Tests, but it’s great to have them back.”
While the squad welcomes back significant experience, the head coach remained tight-lipped over the continued absence of double World Cup-winning hooker Bongi Mbonambi. “Bongi is not available for selection, and there’s no comment we can give further than that,” Pietersen stated firmly.
The Sharks are bracing themselves for a mammoth battle against a desperate Irish powerhouse looking to bounce back from a stinging one-point defeat last week. “We’ve prepped for their most experienced team, so we’re not surprised by the team they put out,” Pietersen said. “They are the champions, and we know that whatever team they put out will be a very good team."
Durban's franchise views the fixture as the ultimate litmus test for their current system and championship credentials before heading down to Cape Town to face the DHL Stormers next week. “They’ve got such a good structure that they’ve built over the last couple of years with a very experienced coach," Pietersen noted. “They’ve shown that, however they put in the team, will deliver on the plan. They’re the best club, and we want to measure ourselves against the best.”