The Hollywoodbets Sharks’ campaign in the EPCR Challenge Cup knock-outs takes them to Western Ireland and a date with Connacht in the Round of 16 on Friday at 9:00 p.m. (SA Time).
Connacht, currently in ninth position on the Vodacom United Rugby Championship log, one place above the Hollywoodbets Sharks, come off a five-match winning streak heading into this match taking place in Galway.
Champions in 2023/24, the Hollywoodbets Sharks became the first South African club to win a major European rugby competition, making history when they defeated Gloucester 36-22 at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London.
For loose forward Nick Hatton, this match has all the elements a rugby player (and fan) could ask for: eager anticipation, enthusiasm, respect and exhilaration at the opportunity to progress to the quarter-finals next weekend.
“We’re really excited for this game, it’s knock-out rugby and we know we need to win to progress further in the tournament,” he said on arrival in Ireland.
“We’re excited for this opportunity, but we know it’s not an easy place to go play. However, we believe in our systems and we also believe we have a good chance to do something special there.
“We know it will be tough there, but it is always tough against Connacht. However, we’re really up for this exciting challenge.”
Despite the short turnaround for a Friday night game, the Hollywoodbets Sharks managed to get on the training pitch at Hollywoodbets Kings Park before leaving Durban on Tuesday evening for a Wednesday arrival.
“We had a good few days of prep in Durban and the boys are ready to go.”
With the demands that two tournaments take, the mental and physical toll, it’s not enough to have a good starting XV or even match 23.
The squad depth has to be sufficient to be able to draw from a sizable, talented pool to spread resources.
“We know it’s going to take a team and squad effort, because these two competitions demand a strong squad on both fronts,” he explained.
“So we’re looking forward to what we can put out on Friday night.
“We’ll be giving everything to get the result in our favour.”