The Hollywoodbets Sharks face up against Ulster at Kingspan Stadium on Saturday evening, looking to close out their overseas leg of the Vodacom United Rugby Championship pool stages on a winning note.
With only two changes to his starting XV, head coach John Plumtree has largely stuck with the same team that defeated Edinburgh last week, bringing in Jason Jenkins for the injured Emile van Heerden at lock, with James Venter starting for Phepsi Buthelezi as the two loose forwards swap jerseys for this match.
Continuity is key in any team sport and given the confidence taken from an away win against a difficult opponent last week, the Hollywoodbets Sharks will look to take momentum into this match.
Speaking from the team’s camp in Belfast, centre Andre Esterhuizen admits that the team is in a good mental space and looking to finish off the two-week tour on a high before returning to play two home games at Hollywoodbets Kings Park.
“We’ve taken a lot of learnings from our game against Edinburgh, and we’ve had a good training week leading into this match against Ulster.
“The boys are looking focused and ready for the task ahead, everyone is in high spirits and the mood in the camp is great.
“We’ve had a good tour so far, but we know we have a big, big game against Ulster. It’s a massive game for them, their last home game and they’ll be amped. They also have some players who will feature in their last ever home game for Ulster and we’re expecting a lot from them.
“It’s going to be physical and fast, they are a great attacking side so our defence needs to be on point and we also need to be sharp with our attack to execute all the opportunities we get, and hopefully we put in a strong finish to the tour.”
Hollywoodbets Sharks
- Ox Nche
- Bongi Mbonambi
- Vincent Koch
- Eben Etzebeth (c)
- Jason Jenkins
- James Venter
- Vincent Tshituka
- Siya Kolisi
- Jaden Hendrikse
- Jordan Hendrikse
- Makazole Mapimpi
- Andre Esterhuizen
- Lukhanyo Am
- Ethan Hooker
- Aphelele Fassi
Replacements
16. Jurenzo Julius
17. Fez Mbatha
18. Ntuthuko Mchunu
19. Hanro Jacobs
20. Manu Tshituka
21. Phepsi Buthelezi
22. Bradley Davids
23. Siya Masuku
