The Hollywoodbets Sharks will be the first South African team to take the field this weekend when they meet the Glasgow Warriors in Scotland on Friday at 20:35 (SA Time).
The 13th placed Hollywoodbets Sharks will have their work cut out against Glasgow Warriors, but with the KwaZulu-Natalians high on confidence after qualifying for the EPCR Challenge Cup semi-final this past weekend and on a four-match winning streak they will have a good foundation to build on.
Glasgow, who are currently in second place on the standings, have been in fine form in the competition boasting 10 victories in their 13 matches, and they come off a morale-boosting 45-3 away victory against Scarlets in their last Vodacom URC clash, meaning the Durbanites will have to produce a top-drawer performance to come away with a win at Scotstoun Stadium.
The visitors’ defence, in particular, will have to be solid as Glasgow are currently third on the list for most points scored, while they have conceded the least number of tries in the competition. The Warriors have scored 365 points to the KwaZulu-Natalians’ 249, while they have conceded only 21 tries, to the Hollywoodbets Sharks’ 37.
Adding to this, Glasgow is still unbeaten at home in the competition this season, which will set the scene for an exciting match-up.
Oli Kebble is set to make his 100th appearance for Glasgow Warriors tomorrow night after the prop was selected in the matchday 23.
The loose-head is amongst the replacements for the South African side’s first visit to Glasgow since October 2021.
An unchanged front-five from the team that took on Harlequins a fortnight ago sees Nathan McBeth and Zander Fagerson continue as the props, with Johnny Matthews, the BKT URC’s top try-scorer, packing down in the middle of the front row.
Max Williamson and Scott Cummings are partnered together in the engine room, having also started on the club’s last URC outing away to the Scarlets.
Henco Venter is the only alteration to the starting pack that ran out at the Twickenham Stoop, coming in to start at openside in a back row completed by Matt Fagerson and Jack Dempsey.
Behind the scrum, George Horne and Tom Jordan continue as the half-backs, the former having crossed for a scintillating team try against Harlequins last time out.
Sione Tuipulotu makes his first URC start of the calendar year after returning from injury a fortnight ago, partnering Stafford McDowall in the centres for tomorrow night’s clash.
The only change to the starting back-line sees Facundo Cordero come into the starting XV on the wing, with Kyle Rowe moving to full-back for the first time in Glasgow colours in a back-three completed by captain Kyle Steyn.
Gregor Hiddleston and Lucio Sordoni join centurion-in-waiting Kebble as the front-row cover, as the Warriors opt for a six-two split of forwards and backs amongst the replacements.
Sintu Manjezi wears the number 19 jersey for the third match in succession, whilst Ally Miller and Thomas Gordon cover the back row between them.
Jamie Dobie and Ross Thompson complete the replacements, the latter set for his first outing in Glasgow colours since the win over Benetton at the start of March.
Speaking following selection, Head Coach Franco Smith told glasgowwarriors.org: “The Sharks will pose a significant test tomorrow night, and we know that we will have to perform well to get the right result.
“They have a squad filled with powerful forwards and dangerous backs, and they have the potential to cause problems from anywhere on the field.
The Hollywoodbets Sharks have selected an exciting team.
Over the last month, many of the stalwarts have had to carry a hugely physical load and now get the opportunity to rest up, or in this case, play a shortened (but still vital) role off the bench.
Hollywoodbets Sharks assistant coach Dave Williams explained from the team’s base that, “Whichever team is put out, the expectation is always the same: to deliver a performance in The Sharks way. With the workload some of the guys have endured, this was an opportunity for us to freshen the squad up, whilst still demanding the same performance and building on that confidence.”
Francois Venter leads a side that despite the many changes, still brings a vast amount of experience, and the competition for places that have been spoken about will certainly provide motivation for the players who have been entrusted with the responsibility of maintaining exceptional form and momentum the Hollywoodbets Sharks have achieved over the last few weeks.
“The team’s success comes down to consistency, availability of our full roster, and that combined with time spent together and a continued belief in what we’re doing has resulted in some good performances,” Williams explained.
After a difficult start to the campaign, the ship is sailing steadily and the team is in a good mental space.
“Confidence does a lot for the team, the spirit coming in on a Monday is high, it brings belief and the confidence to carry out the plan on the field.
“We now have a great challenge against Glasgow, they’re unbeaten at home this season so a real challenge for the guys to build a performance and gain a win away from home.”
Teams:
Glasgow Warriors: 15 Kyle Rowe, 14 Kyle Steyn (c), 13 Stafford McDowall, 12 Sione Tuipulotu, 11 Facundo Cordero, 10 Tom Jordan, 9 George Horne, 8 Jack Dempsey, 7 Henco Venter, 6 Matt Fagerson, 5 Scott Cummings, 4 Max Williamson, 3 Zander Fagerson, 2 Johnny Matthews, 1 Nathan McBeth. Replacements: 16 Gregor Hiddleston, 17 Oli Kebble, 18 Lucio Sordoni, 19 Sintu Manjezi, 20 Ally Miller, 21 Thomas Gordon, 22 Jamie Dobie, 23 Ross Thompson.
Hollywoodbets Sharks: 15 Boeta Chamberlain, 14 Eduan Keyter, 13 Murray Koster, 12 Francois Venter (c), 11 Aphiwe Dyantyi, 10 Curwin Bosch, 9 Grant Williams, 8 Nick Hatton, 7 Lappies Labuschagne, 6 Tino Mavesere, 5 Gerbrandt Grobler, 4 Corne Rahl, 3 Hanro Jacobs, 2 Dan Jooste, 1 Ntuthuko Mchunu. Replacements: 16 Fez Mbatha, 17 Khwezi Mona, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 Emile van Heerden, 20 Vincent Tshituka, 21 Cameron Wright, 22 Siya Masuku, 23 Ethan Hooker.
