The Hollywoodbets Sharks have been bolstered by the return of some of their Springboks for Saturday’s Vodacom United Rugby Championship action when they host the Vodacom Bulls in a massive South African derby at Hollywoodbets Kings Park at 18:00 (SA Time).
Big inside centre Andre Esterhuizen provides some insight into where the team is at right now as they prepare for the big game.
“Coming off a tough loss in the EPCR, bouncing back is our main priority,” he explains. “Training has gone well, it’s a local derby, the Bulls are always tough and we’re bracing ourselves for a big challenge.”
With an enviable home record in recent times, Esterhuizen admits that they are keen to keep it that way.
“You want to win all your home games because that makes things so much easier in the competition, especially with all the travel. If you make sure of winning at home, any points away are a bonus.
“Durban is a tough place to come and play, the weather and humidity are big factors, and we as a team want to make it tough to come and play here. We want to make it hard, physical and very fast and the more we can do that, put teams under pressure, the better.
“Winning at home means a lot to us and the fans, having more fans in the stadium is what we want and that makes it easier for us when we play.
“Being at home is a massive boost, you have your own fans behind you, we have sold out crowd, which we really appreciate. The fans have been showing up in numbers in the last few games and that’s been great for us. We feel we’re on the right track.
It’s not going to be easy on Saturday as the Bulls arrive in Durban also off an Investec Champions Cup loss last weekend, and as traditional rivals, always offer a huge challenge.
“Historically, playing the Bulls is always tough from a physicality point of view, it’s a north-south derby that’s always been great to play in.
“It’s going to be a physical challenge, we know them well, they know us well.”
Hollywoodbets Sharks
- Ox Nche
- Dylan Richardson
- Vincent Koch
- Jason Jenkins
- Emile van Heerden
- Phepsi Buthelezi
- Manu Tshituka
- Siya Kolisi (c)
- Jaden Hendrikse
- Jordan Hendrikse
- Makazole Mapimpi
- Andre Esterhuizen
- Ethan Hooker
- Yaw Penxe
- Aphelele Fassi
Replacements
- Ethan Bester
- Ruan Dreyer
- Trevor Nyakane
- Corne Rahl
- Nick Hatton
- Cameron Wright
- Siya Masuku
- Jurenzo Julius
The following players are not available for selection due to injury: Bongi Mbonambi, Braam Reyneke, Eben Etzebeth, Fez Mbatha, Gerbrandt Grobler, Grant Williams, James Venter, Khwezi Mona, Lukhanyo Am, Marnus Potgieter, Vincent Tshituka.