The Investec Champions Cup clash between the Hollywoodbets Sharks and Toulouse is shaping up to be a match in which both sides have an important point to prove when they meet in the south of France on Sunday afternoon.
Toulouse bring a proud history to the 2025/26 edition of rugby’s premier club competition and they have the manpower to back up their six titles – the most of any team in the tournament’s history – with 12 internationals featuring in their starting XV this weekend and the mercurial Antoine Dupont playing off the bench.
For the Hollywoodbets Sharks, the team selection reflects the need to plan ahead, as well as considerations around player welfare.
“We have two massive home games coming up,” said head coach John Plumtree explaining the team selection for this match.
“However, that’s only a part of it, the main one is that our Springboks have been on a five-week tour and player welfare is an important part of this because these boys have spent so much time away and to keep them here an extra week would have burnt their batteries.
“So, it’s important that they refresh with their families before we all join up in Durban next week.”
While there is a younger-looking team named to take on the European giants, for the Hollywoodbets Sharks, this match presents the opportunity to show fighting character against the odds.
“We know it’s going to be a tough task for us here with a young group of players, but who I believe will potentially play a lot of games in the Hollywoodbets Sharks jersey in the future.
“One example is [SA Under 20 flank] Matt Romao who I thought was excellent against Connacht last week, I believe he will be a star in our team one day. There are a couple of other young boys, [scrumhalf] Ross Braude gets an opportunity against a guy like Dupont, imagine how excited that makes him!
“Being in Toulouse, a real rugby town, the whole vibe is unbelievable here and it’s going to be a real experience for the boys.
“We’ve embraced that and we’re walking towards the challenge. We know it’s going to be a massive task but everyone is looking forward to it and the group is really happy.”
Looking at the opposition, Plumtree puts the game into context for his young team up against a side so heavily weighted with internationals.
“It’s going to be really tough against one of the best clubs in the world, highly-respected and well-supported, but this is a game these boys will never forget.
“Toulouse have size and power, and we have to make sure that every little thing we do is positive and we celebrate it all. We also have to make sure we stay in the fight, no matter the situation. That we pick ourselves up and go again, that’s what we’ve spoken about this week.
“It’s important that the boys go out there and stick together, working as hard as they can for each other. We have a plan that we know is going to be under severe pressure but the expectation is that we go for the full 80 and come away with some respect.”