The Hollywoodbets Sharks welcome Italian Vodacom United Rugby Championship side Zebre to Hollywoodbets Kings Park this afternoon for the final match in this year’s campaign.
Although both sides are out of the running for a top 8 finish, for the Hollywoodbets Sharks, this match has a number of motivating factors riding on the outcome. It hasn’t been the best of seasons, but it has been one punctuated by an injury toll that simply never let up.
There is, fortunately, some continuity this week – not always possible this campaign – and the team that runs out this week will look to close out the season in style.
For Zebre, 10 points off finishing any higher than bottom of the log, this match is about salvaging some pride in a campaign that has realised just two wins from their 17 fixtures. They have struggled this season and come to Durban off the back of a 54-19 defeat to the Vodacom Bulls in Pretoria last week.
For head coach JP Pietersen, there is plenty of motivation: for the team, for departing individuals and for the fans.
“This is our last game as a group, some of our players are leaving and there will be something special as a team after the game, so we want to send them off on a high note,” he explained.
“They’ve been huge for us, Siya Kolisi has put a lot of effort into this group, Jean Smith is also leaving, so we want to put in a good performance for them.”
There’s also a new face, Junior Springbok Under 20 World Cup-winning flyhalf Vusi Moyo who will make his first appearance at this level.
“Vusi Moyo is making his debut, it’s his first senior match in the VURC which also gives us motivation to put in a good performance, make it special for him too and to give the fans something to talk about.”
Although it is the last game of the campaign, the young guns, who are getting their opportunities, offer some insights into the future. And it’s an exciting time for the union as they look to build on this season.
“It’s important for this group to turn up and send a message to the fans ahead of next season and show what we can do,” Pietersen added.
Zebre may have finished last on the log, but they won’t come to Durban with a defeatist attitude, indeed they’ll come out fighting.
“It’s a difficult one for both teams, we both want to finish on a high. Zebre is a dangerous team on transition when the ball is loose, and if you make mistakes, they can punish you. They have a good attack, kick counter, and their pack is strong, they can operate.
“They can be physical when they want to be, so we know as a group we can’t take them lightly or we’ll come second best.
“We’re going into this game with the same mindset as for the Benetton match last week, where we controlled the game very nicely with good game management. But the question is always backing up one good performance with another, our season has been inconsistent and that’s been the challenge for this group.”
Today’s match at Hollywoodbets Kings Park has an early kick-off of 1.45pm.