The final match of the weekend involving a South African team is on Saturday evening at 21h05 (SA Time) in Durban, where the Hollywoodbets Sharks will be looking to turn their season around against the Dragons, a team they have not lost against.
The Durbanites have won just one of their last four fixtures against Welsh regions: 25-10 against Ospreys in Durban in December 2022, but the Dragons have not won away from home in the Vodacom URC since beating the Scarlets in Llanelli in April 2022.
The injection of Rugby World Cup winning Springboks back into the Hollywoodbets Sharks fold is a major boost for the side.
Head coach John Plumtree has welcomed back lock Eben Etzebeth, scrumhalf Jaden Hendrikse, wing Makazole Mapimpi into the starting line-up alongside Lukhanyo Am who takes on the captaincy duties after making his return last week, while their national team-mates Ox Nche and Grant Williams will add firepower off the bench.
Fez Mbatha returns to action, taking over from Dylan Richardson at hooker after the Kearsney College old boy had to have surgery to his thumb, putting him out of action for approximately eight weeks.
Talking about what these World Cup winners bring to the team, Hollywoodbets Sharks attack coach Dave Williams explains that, “We’ve been celebrating the achievements of the Hollywoodbets Sharks players returning from the Rugby World Cup with them and they’ve brought a huge amount of energy with them which has been great for us as a collective.
“Having these players back and the confidence they bring, has been contagious and the rest of the group are all excited for Saturday’s game.”
Although the results haven’t gone the way of the Hollywoodbets Sharks this campaign, there’s no reason to overthink things. But everyone involved does understand the need to turn things around.
“We have a long-term plan, but the immediate focus is around getting excited about finishing opportunities that we’re creating and maximising those rewards.
“We’ve spoken as a group around evolving our game and building pressure with the ball and through our transition game. We’re seeking rewards and the focus is on getting those conversions on the back of good rugby.
“Working for a franchise like this, you embrace the pressure of expectation. In terms of this being a must-win, we go out every game to deliver a performance that wins rugby games, and that’s no different this week.”
Dragons RFC's back row Ollie Griffiths will lead the team at Hollywoodbets Kings Park as Head Coach Dai Flanagan makes four changes to the side that defeated Ospreys in derby action last weekend.
The only change in the back line is a second start of the season for scrum half Dane Blacker.
Two new props feature from the start with Samoa international Aki Seiuli and tighthead Chris Coleman packing down either side of Durban-born Bradley Roberts.
The final change is a call-up for George Nott who partners Matthew Screech in the second row.
Back row Harri Keddie, lock Joe Davies and hooker James Benjamin are named among the replacements.
Flanagan said: “We've got to play with ambition. We know we've got to score tries out in South Africa to win games. First and foremost, we need to make sure our attack is on point.
“Our defence will be critical to get us turnovers as well, especially this week.
“We know Sharks will throw the ball around, so we've got to be all-action and concentrate for 80 minutes, so we don't let anything weak in.
“The performance against Ospreys really pleased me and we need to build on that,” he added.
“The first 25 minutes, when we were able to move the ball, stress and fatigue them, I was pleased with our game.
“We found what I would class as our DNA, a style of play. We should’ve been more accurate at the end of the game to score more, but we’ll take the win and now look to the challenge in South Africa.”
Teams:
Hollywoodbets Sharks: 15. Aphelele Fassi, 14. Werner Kok, 13. Lukhanyo Am (c), 12. Francois Venter, 11. Makazole Mapimpi, 10. Curwin Bosch, 9. Jaden Hendrikse, 8. Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 7. Phepsi Buthelezi, 6. James Venter, 5. Emile van Heerden, 4. Eben Etzebeth, 3. Coenie Oosthuizen, 2. Fez Mbatha, 1. Ntuthuko Mchunu. Replacements: 16. Daniel Jooste, 17. Ox Nche, 18. Hanro Jacobs, 19. Corne Rahl, 20. Jeandre Labuschagne, 21. Grant Williams, 22. Boeta Chamberlain, 23. Rohan Janse van Rensburg.
Dragons RFC: 15 Cai Evans, 14 Rio Dyer, 13 Sio Tomkinson, 12 Aneurin Owen, 11 Ewan Rosser, 10 Will Reed, 9 Dane Blacker; 8 Aaron Wainwright, 7 Ollie Griffiths (c), 6 Sean Lonsdale,5 George Nott, 4 Matthew Screech, 3 Chris Coleman, 2 Bradley Roberts, 1 Aki Seiuli, Replacements: 16 James Benjamin, 17 Rhodri Jones, 18 Lloyd Fairbrother, 19 Joe Davies, 20 Harri Keddie, 21 Rhodri Williams, 22 Steff Hughes, 23 Ashton Hewitt.
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