The Hollywoodbets Sharks go into this weekend’s first of two consecutive Vodacom United Rugby Championship clashes with the Emirates Lions in high spirits as they look to continue their fine away form of recent past.
Bonus point wins over Cardiff (in Wales) and the Vodacom Bulls (in Pretoria) in their last two fixtures, despite the injury woes they have suffered, demonstrate the fighting spirit in a team that is well-placed on the overall log.
The fact that they have found ways to win, emphatically so, shows that they are on the right path and that the players themselves not only buy into the plan, but are capable of executing on match day.
“What’s really rewarding for us is that the boys are believing in themselves and believing in our game model,” explains head coach John Plumtree.
The Hollywoodbets Sharks coach would have also been all smiles at having a relatively unscathed squad from the last match, and the satisfaction of welcoming back some of his stalwarts.
The Emirates Lions go into this game off the back of a 31-19 loss to the Vodacom Bulls in the only fixture played last week, but a 30-23 home victory over the DHL Stormers the previous weekend will have built confidence for the team, despite it being their only victory in the South African Shield, where they lie in fourth place, and 12th overall on the VURC log, eight places below the fourth-placed Hollywoodbets Sharks.
Plumtree has welcomed back Springbok scrumhalf Jaden Hendrikse who replaces Grant Williams at scrumhalf, with the latter playing off the bench.
In the other two changes to the starting XV, the injured Trevor Nyakane is replaced by Ruan Dreyer while Deon Slabbert comes in for Corne Rahl at lock, with Vincent Tshituka continuing his role as captain.
There is further good news aside from continuity in team selection, and that is some interesting names on the bench.
Welcomed back in action are Vincent Koch, Siya Kolisi and Eduan Keyter who all bring plenty of experience, adding to the team’s depth and likely to make a significant impact off the bench later in the game.
Saturday’s match at Emirates Airline Park kicks off at 14:30 (SA Time).
Hollywoodbets Sharks
- Ntuthuko Mchunu Martitzburg College
- Bongi Mbonambi St Albans College
- Ruan Dreyer Monument High School
- Deon Slabbert Westville Boys High School
- Jason Jenkins St Albans College
- Tinotenda Mavesere Churchill Boys
- Vincent Tshituka (c) Northcliff High School
- Phepsi Buthelezi Durban High School
- Jaden Hendrikse Glenwood Boys High School
- Siya Masuku Piet Retief High School
- Ethan Hooker Westville Boys High
- Lukhanyo Am (vc) De Vos Malan High School
- Jurenzo Julius Paul Roos Gimnasium
- Yaw Penxe Queens College Boys High School
- Jordan Hendrikse Glenwood Boys High School
Replacements
- Ethan Bester Hilton College
- Dian Bleuler Oakdale Landbou
- Vincent Koch Huguenot High School
- Lappies Labuschagne Maritzburg College
- Siya Kolisi Grey High School
- Grant Williams Paarl Gimnasium
- Francois Venter Grey College
- Eduan Keyter Afrikaanse Hoer Seunskool
The following players are not available for selection due to injury: Andre Esterhuizen, Aphelele Fassi, Bryce Calvert, Diego Appollis, Dylan Richardson, Eben Etzebeth, Emile van Heerden, Fez Mbatha, Gerbrandt Grobler, Hakeem Kunene (suspension), James Venter, Khwezi Mona, Makazole Mapimpi (suspension), Manu Tshituka, Marnus Potgieter, Nick Hatton, Ox Nche.