The Hollywoodbets Sharks and Scarlets will both enter their match in Durban at 16:00 (SA Time) with a sense of desperation after failing to win a match so far this season, which has seen them occupy 14th and 16th place on the log. This, however, will also fuel their determination going into the match, as one of the teams should finally break out of their losing cycle.
The Durbanites will draw inspiration from the fact that they have scored 67 points to only 39 by the Scarlets, while they also boast home ground advantage in the expected hot and humid conditions.
But they will have to deliver a solid defensive effort to shut out the visitors, who have conceded 20 points fewer in their campaign to date. The Sharks have only lost once in the four previous clashes between the two sides, by 20-32 at Parc y Scarlets in March 2023.
Hollywoodbets Sharks head coach John Plumtree has made minimal changes to the side for this week’s match against the Welsh team at Hollywoodbets Kings Park.
Eben Etzebeth leads the team with one rotational change to the pack where Emmanuel Tshituka and Phepsi Buthelezi swap jerseys, while the suspension of Makazole Mapimpi sees Edwill van der Merwe shift from fullback to his regular position at wing, with Jordan Hendrikse starting in the number 15 jersey.
The final change sees the return of Lukhanyo Am, who replaces Jurenzo Julius, the latter providing cover off the bench.
Scarlets Rugby are strengthened by the return from injury of four internationals for Saturday’s BKT United Rugby Championship round five encounter with Hollywoodbets Sharks in Durban (15:00; Premier Sports).
Tom Rogers, Kemsley Mathias, Jake Ball and Sam Lousi go straight into the starting XV following last weekend’s loss to the Lions in Johannesburg.
With Rogers back in the No. 14 jersey, Blair Murray switches to full-back. Joe Roberts comes in to partner skipper Johnny Williams in midfield, while there is also a change at half-back with Dane Blacker swapping with Archie Hughes. Sam Costelow continues at fly-half.
In the pack, Mathias is set for his first appearance of the season after getting the nod at loose-head alongside hooker Marnus van der Merwe and fellow front-rower Archer Holz.
Ball has come through his head injury protocols to pack down with the on-loan Harvey Cuckson in the second row. Lousi is named at blindside flanker in a back row that also contains Taine Plumtree at No. 8 and Dan Davis at openside.
Teams:
Hollywoodbets Sharks: 15 Jordan Hendrikse, 14 Ethan Hooker, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Edwill van der Merwe, 10 Siya Masuku, 9 Grant Williams, 8 Emmanuel Tshituka, 7 Vincent Tshituka, 6 Siya Kolisi, 5 Marvin Orie, 4 Eben Etzebeth (c), 3 Vincent Koch, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Ox Nche. Replacements: 16 Fez Mbatha, 17 Cameron Dawson, 18 Lee-Marvin Mazibuko, 19 JJ Scheepers, 20 Phepsi Buthelezi, 21 Jaden Hendrikse, 22 Jean Smith, 23 Jurenzo Julius.
Scarlets Rugby: 15 Blair Murray, 14 Tom Rogers, 13 Joe Roberts, 12 Johnny Williams (c), 11 Ellis Mee, 10 Sam Costelow, 9 Dane Blacker, 8 Taine Plumtree, 7 Dan Davis, 6 Sam Lousi, 5 Jake Ball, 4 Harvey Cuckson, 3 Archer Holz, 2 Marnus van der Merwe, 1 Kemsley Mathias. Replacements: 16 Kirby Myhill, 17 Alec Hepburn, 18 Henry Thomas, 19 Alex Groves, 20 Jarrod Taylor, 21 Archie Hughes, 22 Joe Hawkins, 23 Ioan Nicholas.