The Vodacom Bulls has everything to play for against the Hollywoodbets Sharks in the final pool round of the Vodacom United Rugby Championship on Saturday at 16:10 (SA Time) in Durban.
Despite a possible top-two position on the URC table, the SA Shield winner will also be determined with the Vodacom Bulls and DHL Stormers neck and neck at the moment, with the team from Pretoria holding a three-point edge on the log.
A victory in Durban for the Vodacom Bulls would keep them in contention to finish the league stages as the top team for a home quarter-final and possibly semi-final and final while a win for the DHL Stormers will cement their quarter-final spot, even though they can’t finish higher than fifth.
The Vodacom Bulls will enter their clash against the Hollywoodbets Sharks as overwhelming favourites on paper given their impressive record this season with 12 wins in 17 outings to only four by the hosts.
However, they will be mindful of the fact that the KwaZulu-Natalians will enter the match high on confidence after making history last week by becoming the first South African team ever to be crowned the EPCR Challenge Cup champions in England.
The Vodacom Bulls are on a three-match winning streak, while the Durbanites come off two defeats in a row in the Vodacom URC, but after their success in Europe they will have their sights on finishing the season on a high note by creating one of the biggest upsets of the weekend and will certainly have the mindset that they have nothing to lose.
The Vodacom Bulls’ statistics count heavily in their favour having scored close to double the amount the points the Hollywoodbets Sharks have accumulated this season, but less than 15 points separate the teams defensively, which could set the scene for a thrilling clash.
After being crowned EPCR Challenge Cup champions last week, there is one final challenge the Hollywoodbets Sharks face, in what will be a physically intense clash against the old foe in this local derby.
While opting to rest some of his players, Hollywoodbets Sharks head coach John Plumtree has retained a number of players who featured in last week’s historic final in an effort to keep some continuity going.
Plumtree will be urging his players to give it one last mighty effort before the coaching team and players get to enjoy a much-deserved rest following their exertions in the two competitions over the last seven months.
“It’s important for us to sign off on a positive note,” said Plumtree.
“It’s also a massive challenge for us because we’ve only just got back and our week’s prep has been compromised. We also put a lot of energy and effort into winning the Challenge Cup with a lot of travel, having spent four of the last six weeks away from home.
“I have a team that’s pretty knackered, we do have some injuries but it’s important that in our last game, in front of our home crowd, that we go out there and put on a performance that everyone enjoys.”
Jake White has retained the same 23-men Vodacom Bulls side that did duty in round 17 of the competition, with just the positional change in Johan Grobbelaar coming into the starting XV whilst Akker van der Merwe shifts to the six-three split impact squad. Van der Merwe will be alongside Simphiwe Matanzima, Francois Klopper, Reinhardt Ludwig, Nizaam Carr, Keagan Johannes, Chris Smith and Sebastian de Klerk.
Grobbelaar will partner up with Gerhard Steenekamp and Wilco Louw at the front with Ruan Vermaak and his namesake and captain, Ruan Nortje at lock. Behind Ruan partnership will be Marco van Staden and Elrigh Louw at blind and open side flank, respectively.
The tested pairing of Embrose Papier (scrumhalf) and Johan Goosen (flyhalf) will link up at halfback once more. Behind them will be the synchronised backline of Harold Vorster and David Kriel at centre and the back trio of Kurt-Lee Arendse, Canan Moodie and Willie le Roux.
Teams:
Hollywoodbets Sharks: 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Werner Kok, 13 Ethan Hooker, 12 Francois Venter (c), 11 Eduan Keyter, 10 Siya Masuku, 9 Cameron Wright, 8 Phepsi Buthelezi, 7 Vincent Tshituka, 6 James Venter, 5 Gerbrandt Grobler, 4 Corne Rahl, 3 Vincent Koch, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Ox Nche. Replacements: 16 Fez Mbatha, 17 Ntuthuko Mchunu, 18 Khwezi Mona, 19 Lappies Labuschagne, 20 Dylan Richardson, 21 Bradley Davids, 22 Boeta Chamberlain, 23 Diego Appollis.
Vodacom Bulls: 15 Willie le Roux, 14 Canan Moodie, 13 David Kriel, 12 Harold Vorster, 12 Harold Vorster, 11 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 10 Johan Goosen, 9 Embrose Papier, 8 Cameron Hanekom, 7 Elrigh Louw, 6 Marco van Staden, 5 Ruan Nortje (c), 4 Ruan Vermaak, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Johan Grobbelaar, 1 Gerhard Steenekamp. Replacements: 16 Akker van der Merwe, 17 Simphiwe Matanzima, 18 Francois Klopper, 19 Reinhardt Ludwig, 20 Nizaam Carr, 21 Keagan Johannes, 22 Chris Smith, 23 Sebastian de Klerk.
