The Hollywoodbets Sharks return home to host Saracens at Hollywoodbets Kings Park this evening in an enticing Investec Champions Cup clash between two international-laden sides.
For newly-appointed interim head coach JP Pietersen, it’s a big start to this phase of his coaching career, but one that he embraces with enthusiasm.
“I’m excited for the challenge, and yes, it’s going to be a challenge, but I believe we can turn things around.
“We’ve had some good, honest chats and it’s been a good week of training and the energy levels are good.”
Bringing in Andre Esterhuizen as captain is a new move, but certainly one well-deserved for the powerful centre who leads by example every time he plays.
“For me, the choice of Andre comes naturally, he’s been around for a long time, now playing his 100th game, although that’s not the reason for the captaincy this week, and he is our captain for the rest of the season.
“He’s an old Hollywoodbets Sharks man and knows the team inside and out, he’s a natural leader and in the way he plays, he asks a lot of his team-mates to follow him, so it was an easy decision to pick him as my captain.
“And Siya has a lot of responsibilities with the Springboks, so Andre was a natural and easy choice for me, he will captain the side until the end of the campaign.”
Pairing Esterhuizen and Ethan Hooker in the centrefield is an exciting development, with Hooker spending most of his time with the Springboks on the wing.
“Ethan has always been a centre and we want to give him a chance there,” Pietersen explained. “It seems like he’s always helping out on the wing where he’s done a phenomenal job, but I think this is a great opportunity for him to play at centre.”
With the Hollywoodbets Sharks only returning from France on Tuesday, it was something of a disruptive week for the squad which necessitated some considerations around that in team selection.
“George Whitehead is starting at flyhalf because Jordan Hendrike was only back with the team late, while George has been here all week and the week before and giving him a good opportunity to start, and play next to Andre, gives him the chance to showcase what he delivered during the Carling Currie Cup campaign.
“So it’s a great opportunity for George, with Jordan coming off the bench.”
The very welcome return of Aphelele Fassi is a big boost for the Hollywoodbets Sharks as well, naming another Springbok in the side.
“He’s fit to play, he’s recovered well and completed all the protocols during his recovery and return to play,” Pietersen explained.
“He’s been training with us for the last three weeks and there is nothing wrong with him medically.
“It’s a great opportunity for him, he’s feeling good and has trained well and he’s excited, as are we to have Aphelele back. He was in outstanding form for the Springboks before the injury happened. But mentally, he’s in a good space.
“Will he be a bit rusty? Yes he will be, but he’s experienced enough to get onto the field and control what he can control.”
Taking a look at Saracens, Pietersen warned of the size of the challenge that lies ahead.
“They’re a class team, they’ve won the competition three times which just showcases the quality they have. They have a lot of internationals that have been together for a while, with a coach in Mark McCall who has been there as their director of rugby for more than 10 years.
“They have a good culture and a strong game structure that works for them.
“It’s going to be a massive challenge for us and they’re put us under pressure and it’s up to us to cope with those pressure cycles.”
Today’s match at Hollywoodbets Kings Park kicks off at 5.15pm.