There will be no room for error for the Hollywoodbets Sharks in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship in their third-last round against Edinburgh Rugby on Friday at 20:45 (SA Time).
The Hollywoodbets Sharks must win all their remaining matches with bonus points and hope that several other teams stumble for them to qualify for the quarter-finals.
The Durbanites will brace themselves for a tough outing against Edinburgh at the Hive Stadium after being left gutted against the Ospreys last week, and with the knowledge that the home side will be playing purely for pride after already being knocked out of playoff contention.
Spicing up the match, the KwaZulu-Natalians have registered only one more victory than the hosts in the competition thus far, and although they will draw comfort from the fact that they have scored 39 more points, their defence has been evenly matched.
Edinburgh have experienced mixed results on their home patch this season, which will give the Hollywoodbets Sharks hope of finishing their tour on a positive note, although they will have to place a massive emphasis on converting their point-scoring chances into points – an area that has let them down at crucial times this season – to change their fortunes and return to winning ways.
Siya Kolisi will make a welcome return to action following a calf injury in what will be his 50th appearance for the Hollywoodbets Sharks, when they take on Edinburgh in Friday night’s final away match of the regular season in this year’s Vodacom United Rugby Championship.
As defence coach Joey Mongalo reported earlier this week, where there is opportunity, there is hope, and this team, with their backs to the wall, will look to demonstrate their pedigree, but more than that, deliver a performance fitting of the character they possess.
Head coach JP Pietersen continues the pattern of trying to maintain continuity, build cohesion and survive a devastating injury toll, with Springbok Ethan Hooker the latest in a long line of players on the sidelines following a most unfortunate incident against the Ospreys.
That’s the disappointing news, but on an optimistic note, there are minimal changes as the Hollywoodbets Sharks look to finish their two-week overseas tour on a high against a team also chasing a top 8 finish.
There are just two changes to the starting line-up, the pack remaining intact while Makazole Mapimpi comes in for Hooker who suffered a dislocated shoulder last week, and captain Andre Esterhuizen shifting to outside centre, partnering Siya Masuku in the midfield.
Teenage sensation Zekhethelo Siyaya remains at fullback after his breakthrough debut against the Ospreys, and he can only benefit from having the Bok captain alongside him later in the game
Cammy Scott starts at fly-half as Edinburgh Rugby named three changes. Scott, 24, comes into the starting XV in place of Ross Thompson, who rotates to the bench, as Head Coach Sean Everitt selects a largely settled side following last weekend’s dramatic bonus-point victory over Zebre Parma.
Glen Young (blindside flanker) and Tom Currie (number 8) move into the starting line-up, replacing Liam McConnell and Connor Boyle respectively, both of whom picked up concussions against Zebre Parma and continue to progress through return to play protocols.
With 12 current Edinburgh Rugby academy players, or academy graduates, named in the matchday 23, Friday night’s selection is another strong statement of the capital club’s commitment to developing homegrown talent.
Piers O’Conor retains his place at full-back, with British & Irish Lion Darcy Graham and Malelili Satala named on the wings.
Mosese Tuipulotu and Findlay Thomson continue in the centres, with Patterson, who penned his first professional deal earlier this week, again selected at scrum-half alongside Scott.
British & Irish Lions Pierre Schoeman (loosehead) and Ewan Ashman (hooker), named Player of the Match after a brace of tries last weekend, complete the starting front-row alongside academy graduate, Ollie Blyth-Lafferty (tighthead).
Marshall Sykes partners Grant Gilchrist in the second row, with the double-centurion, who this week signed on for a 16th season at Edinburgh, once again named captain in what is his 232nd appearance for the capital club.
Young and Currie both get the nod in a new-look back-row as Freddy Douglas retains his place at openside flanker.
Teams:
Edinburgh Rugby: 15 Piers O’Conor, 14 Darcy Graham, 13 Mosese Tuipulotu, 12 Findlay Thomson, 11 Malelili Satala, 10 Cammy Scott, 9 Hector Patterson, 8 Tom Currie, 7 Freddy Douglas, 6 Glen Young, 5 Grant Gilchrist (captain), 4 Marshall Sykes, 3 Ollie Blyth-Lafferty, 2 Ewan Ashman, 1 Pierre Schoeman. Replacements: 16 Dylan Richardson, 17 Boan Venter, 18 Paul Hill, 19 Callum Hunter-Hill, 20 Tom Dodd, 21 Charlie Shiel, 22 Ross Thompson, 23 Jack Brown.
Hollywoodbets Sharks: 15 Zekhethelo Siyaya, 14 Edwill van der Merwe, 13 Andre Esterhuizen (captain), 12 Siya Masuku, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 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 Siya Kolisi, 22 Bradley Davids, 23 Marnus Potgieter.