The Hollywoodbets Sharks opened their 2026/27 Vodacom United Rugby Championship campaign with a 41-24 victory over the Ospreys. The bonus-point win at Hollywoodbets Kings Park in Durban featured an expansive display of rugby from the hosts.
Captain Nick Hatton started the scoring in the 12th minute, finishing off a team try that featured a key contribution from Jaden Hendrikse. Vusi Moyo added the conversion to give the home side an early 7-0 lead.
The Sharks continued to play a high-risk style that led to unforced errors and missed opportunities during the opening quarter. However, the pressure eventually told in the 22nd minute when Jurenzo Julius broke through a gap and offloaded to Manu Tshituka, who scored the second try. Moyo converted the score to extend the lead to 14-0
Luan Giliomee added a third try six minutes later. Giliomee beat several defenders on a 50-metre run to score, with Moyo's conversion making it 21-0.
The Ospreys responded in the 31st minute by spreading the ball wide, allowing Luke Morgan to score in the corner. Lawson Creighton converted the try to reduce the deficit to 21-7.
The hosts secured their four-try bonus point shortly after when Litelihle Bester gathered a grubber kick from Moyo. Another Moyo conversion moved the scoreline to 28-7.
Just before halftime, the Ospreys sustained pressure inside the Sharks' 22-metre area. Sam Parry crashed over from a lineout maul, and Creighton’s conversion left the score at 28-14 at the break.
The visitors maintained their momentum early in the second half. Liam Wright found a gap in the Sharks' defence to score, cutting the lead to 28-19.
The Sharks steadied their advantage through the boot of Moyo, who kicked penalties in the 52nd and 56th minutes. These successful kicks pushed the score out to 34-19.
The home side re-established control in the 68th minute after sustained attacking pressure. Giliomee waited out wide to cross for his second try, and Siya Masuku converted to make it 41-19.
The Ospreys scored the final points of the match in the 71st minute from the ensuing kickoff. Continuous handling across the backline put Iestyn Hopkins over for a bonus-point try, setting the final score at 41-24.
Scorers:
Hollywoodbets Sharks: Tries: Nick Hatton, Manu Tshituka, Luan Giliomee (2), Litelihle Bester. Conversions: Vusi Moyo (4), Siya Masuku. Penalty: Vusi Moyo (2),
Ospreys: Tries: Luke Morgan, Sam Parry, Liam Wright, Iestyn Hopkins. Conversions: Lawson Creighton (2).
Teams:
Hollywoodbets Sharks: 15 Luan Giliomee, 14 Suleiman Hartzenberg, 13 Jurenzo Julius, 12 Janco Purchase, 11 Litelihle Bester, 10 Vusi Moyo, 9 Jaden Hendrikse, 8 Nick Hatton (c), 7 Manu Tshituka, 6 Phepsi Buthelezi, 5 Darrien Landsberg, 4 Corne Rahl, 3 Vincent Koch, 2 Eduan Swart, 1 Phatu Ganyane. Replacements: 16 Esethu Mnebelele, 17 Nemo Roelofse, 18 Hanro Jacobs, 19 Jason Jenkins, 20 Matt Romao, 21 Ivan van Zyl, 22 Siya Masuku, 23 Zekhethelo Siyaya.
Ospreys: 15 Iestyn Hopkins, 14 Tom Rogers, 13 Owen Watkin (co-captain), 12 Lalakai Foketi, 11 Luke Morgan, 10 Lawson Creighton, 9 Luke Davies, 8 Morgan Morris, 7 Ross Moriarty, 6 Liam Wright, 5 Rhys Davies, 4 James Ratti, 3 Tom Botha, 2 Sam Parry (co-captain), 1 Steffan Thomas. Replacements: 16 Efan Daniel, 17 Gareth Thomas, 18 Rhys Henry, 19 Ryan Smith, 20 Harri Deaves, 21 Kieran Hardy, 22 Harri Wilde, 23 Evardi Bosho.