A new title sponsor, head coach and captain are the highlights of the Hollywoodbets Sharks pre-season announcements.
The vastly experienced Kiwi John Plumtree who is back with the team he starred for as a player and coached more than a decade ago.
"Swys" Venter was named as the tour captain. The former Free State inside centre made a name for himself in Bloemfontein, with his physical abilities and leadership qualities recognised at SA Schools, SA Under 20, Barbarians, SA ‘A’ and Springbok levels, having played in seven tests for South Africa.
The experienced centre will have the likes of Phepsi Buthelezi, Reniel Hugo, James Venter and Sikhumbuzo Notshe to call on for their experience and leadership over the course of the tour.
With the Springboks away on Rugby World Cup duty, Plumtree has, nevertheless, quality and experience to call on as the Hollywoodbets Sharks kick their 2023/24 VURC campaign off against Irish giants Munster on Saturday (kick-off at 18:15 and then Leinster the following Saturday. Ospreys and then Zebre follow before the team return to Hollywoodbets Kings Park for a run of home games.
They had a proper test against the DHL Stormers in George and narrowly lost in a to a hard-fought 26-21 pre-season loss.
The loss of their Springboks players combined with Springbok captain Siya Kolisi and experienced Thomas du Toit leaving for Europe, could make it a testing opening few weeks.
Player Movement
Players in: Vincent Koch (Stade Français), Coenie Oosthuizen (Sale Sharks), Francois Hougaard (Saracens), Siya Masuku (Cheetahs), Diego Appollis (Pumas), George Cronjé (Cheetahs), Ig Prinsloo (Pumas).
Players out: Siya Kolisi (Racing 92), Thomas du Toit (Bath), Thaakir Abrahams (Lyon), Carlü Sadie (Bordeaux), Henco Venter (Glasgow), Khutha Mchunu (Bulls), Ben Tapuai (Bordeaux), Thembelani Bholi (Valence), Mpilo Gumede (Bulls), Fred Zeilinga (Bourg-en-Bresse), Ockie Barnard (Saitama Wild Knights).