The Hollywoodbets Sharks conclude their pool commitments in this year’s Investec Champions Cup tournament when they host French Top 14 side ASM Clermont Auvergne at Hollywoodbets Kings Park on Saturday afternoon.
Clermont are playing for pride, looking for their first – and what mathematically would be their only – win in the competition, their home games heralding losses to Sale Sharks (14-35) and Glasgow Warriors (21-33), and an opening round 47-10 loss to Saracens in London.
For the Hollywoodbets Sharks, a second win (they defeated Saracens 28-23 in Durban in mid-December) could see them secure knock-out qualification and push through to the Round of 16.
Head coach JP Pietersen has switched things up a bit with his team selection, maintaining some continuity from last week’s trip to Manchester, while bringing back a range of stalwarts across the board.
There are starts for Matt Romao and PK Sobahle, with Rugby World Cup winners Ox Nche and Bongi Mbonambi upfront and Aphelele Fassi at fullback. Brothers Jaden and Jordan Hendrikse form the halfback pairing, while Jurenzo Julius retains his number 12 jersey, partnering with Le Roux Malan in the midfield.
Nick Hatton continues his lead-by-example role, having retained the captaincy for the match against the 114-year old club and three-time Champions Cup runners-up, two-time French Champions (2010 and 2017) and Challenge Cup champions on three different occasions, most recently in 2019, the Hollywoodbets Sharks taking that honour in 2024.
Hollywoodbets Sharks
- Ox Nche
- Bongi Mbonambi
- Hanro Jacobs
- Corne Rahl
- Jason Jenkins
- Matt Romao
- Manu Tshituka
- Nick Hatton (Captain)
- Jaden Hendrikse
- Jordan Hendrikse
- PK Sobahle
- Jurenzo Julius
- Le Roux Malan
- Yaw Penxe
- Aphelele Fassi
Replacements
- Eduan Swart
- Phatu Ganyane
- Vincent Koch
- Emile van Heerden
- Phepsi Buthelezi
- Ross Braude
- Siya Masuku
- Hakeem Kunene