The Hollywoodbets Sharks shift their focus from the Vodacom United Rugby Championship to their EPCR Challenge Cup round of 16 clash with Connacht on Friday evening at the Dexcom Stadium in Galway.
Head coach JP Pietersen has balanced his side and brought energy into his squad as he looks to build equilibrium given the injury toll, the test of squad depth and the need to be competitive in the coming weeks as they face a daunting away schedule.
“Injuries test the character of the squad, but it gives the next guy in the squad an opportunity,” Pietersen explains. “It’s a test of how you bounce back as a group.”
Despite the severe injury toll, as well as the demands on the team and the fight for the knockouts in both the Vodacom United Rugby Championship and the EPCR Challenge Cup, Pietersen has been able to name a strong Hollywoodbets Sharks team for Friday’s match.
“We’ve got some reinforcements back, Eben is now available and hopefully his return is a big help for us.”
Nick Hatton remains at eighthman to captain a side that has 13 changes to the starting line-up, although Springboks Ox Nche, Vincent Koch (in the front row), Etzebeth (lock), and wing Edwill van der Merwe will all add experience and presence to the side, along with another Rugby World Cup winner in Makazole Mapimpi who is the only other player to have started for the Hollywoodbets Sharks in their victory over Cardiff last week.
Vincent Tshituka and Ethan Hooker add further international pedigree off the bench.
Friday’s match kicks off at 9pm.
Hollywoodbets Sharks
- Ox Nche
- Eduan Swart
- Vincent Koch
- Eben Etzebeth
- Deon Slabbert
- Tino Mavesere
- Jannes Potgieter
- Nick Hatton (C)
- Ross Braude
- Jean Smith
- Makazole Mapimpi
- Marnus Potgieter
- Le Roux Malan
- Edwill van der Merwe
- Hakeem Kunene
Replacements
- Ethan Bester
- Lee-Marvin Mazibuko
- Mawande Mdanda
- Corne Rahl
- Vincent Tshituka
- Ceano Everson
- Siya Masuku
- Ethan Hooker
Players not considered for selection due to injury:
Aphelele Fassi, Bongi Mbonambi, Bryce Calvert, Coetzee le Roux, Emmanuel Tshituka, Francois Venter, Grant Williams, Jaco Williams, Jaden Hendrikse, Jurenzo Julius, Luan Giliomee, Marvin Orie, Matt Romao, Phepsi Buthelezi, Ruan Dreyer, Simphiwe Matanzima, Siya Kolisi, Thomas Dyer, Trevor Nyakane, Yaw Penxe