Vodacom United Rugby Championship action returns to Hollywoodbets Kings Park on Saturday when the Hollywoodbets Sharks host the Vodacom Bulls in what should be yet another fiercely contested local derby between the two sides.
Head coach JP Pietersen has largely stuck with the same team that defeated Saracens last week, making one rotational change as Jordan Hendrikse and George Whitehead swap jerseys at flyhalf, and the other enforced change being Hakeem Kunene, who replaces Aphelele Fassi, who left the field last week with a concussion.
There are no other changes, and Coach Pietersen has opted not to fix what ain’t broke.
His team go into this important match with a morale-boosting 28-23 bonus point Investec Champions Cup victory, while the Vodacom Bulls arrive in Durban off the back of consecutive losses, a 46-33 home defeat to Bordeaux and a 50-5 loss to Northampton.
For the Hollywoodbets Sharks, their win over the three-time Investec Champions Cup champions is a great confidence booster ahead of their clash against their old rivals.
“A win is always important, it gives you belief, it gives you something you can work on, and it gives you motivation and confidence to take into the next game,” said Pietersen.
“We know it’s not going to be easy against the Vodacom Bulls; they’re also desperate, but what a challenge it’s going to be!”
Hollywoodbets Sharks
1. Phatu Ganyane
2. Bongi Mbonambi
3. Hanro Jacobs
4. Jason Jenkins
5. Emile van Heerden
6. Siya Kolisi
7. Vincent Tshituka
8. Phepsi Buthelezi
9. Grant Williams
10. Jordan Hendrikse
11. Makazole Mapimpi
12. Andre Esterhuizen (c)
13. Ethan Hooker
14. Edwill van der Merwe
15. Hakeem Kunene
Replacements
16. Eduan Swart
17. Lee-Marvin Mazibuko
18. Mawande Mdanda
19. Marvin Orie
20. Matt Romao
21. Nick Hatton
22. Jaden Hendrikse
23. George Whitehead
