The Hollywoodbets Sharks have had two weeks since their last match to prepare for the penultimate Vodacom United Rugby Championship match of the current season, welcoming Benetton to Hollywoodbets Kings Park on Saturday.
Head coach JP Pietersen has made changes to the team since the last match, some injury enforced, with Andre Esterhuizen leading a team filled with vast experience and an interesting name at flyhalf.
Springbok captain Siya Kolisi, starting at flank, is one such player, a seasoned campaigner, who will look to add composure and attacking nous to a team that will look to finish the remaining two weeks of the tournament on a high after a season that offered so much but ultimately didn’t deliver on the team’s ambitions.
“It’s been a tough week for us not making the top 8, we’re really disappointed, especially with the group that we have, we definitely should have qualified and we have no excuses,” he said.
“We want to finish strong because it hurts. The fans have been so supportive and we couldn’t deliver for them and the club and we know we should be better than we were. We have a big challenge this week, they’re a great team who have beaten some big sides this season, so we want to finish strong and in these last two games and build going forward.”
On a personal note, the Bok captain departs the Hollywoodbets Sharks at the conclusion of this tournament in a bittersweet move back to Cape Town where he will be closer to his children.
“It’s been tough, it’s going to be hard to say goodbye to the boys, it’s been a special place here and the people welcomed me and my family,” he admitted. “My kids love the team and the city of Durban, so thanks to everyone for welcoming me and my family.
“I’m going to enjoy the last two weeks here, I’m grateful to the Hollywoodbets Sharks for everything, for supporting me and understanding how important family is, for helping me get closer to my kids.”
Kolisi is joined by his front row Bok team-mates Ox Nche and Vincent Koch in the starting line-up, while young Zekhethelo Siyaya who has really embraced his opportunities, has been handed the coveted flyhalf jersey, with Jurenzo Julius partnering Esterhuizen in the midfield.
Saturday’s match at Hollywoodbets Kings Park kicks off at 4pm.
Hollywoodbets Sharks
- Ox Nche
- Eduan Swart
- Vincent Koch
- Jason Jenkins
- Emile van Heerden
- Siya Kolisi
- Vincent Tshituka
- Emmanuel Tshituka
- Bradley Davids
- Zekhethelo Siyaya
- Makazole Mapimpi
- Andre Esterhuizen (c)
- Jurenzo Julius
- Edwill van der Merwe
- Jaco Williams
Replacements
- Fez Mbatha
- Phatu Ganyane
- Hanro Jacobs
- Corne Rahl *
- Nicholas Hatton
- Ross Braude
- Jean Smith
- Litelihle Bester
*Denotes a 50th appearance for the Hollywoodbets Sharks in an international competition.
Players not considered for selection due to injury:
Aphelele Fassi, Bongi Mbonambi, Bryce Calvert, Coetzee le Roux, Ethan Bester, Eben Etzebeth, Ethan Hooker, Francois Venter, Grant Williams, Hakeem Kunene, Jaden Hendrikse, Jordan Hendrikse, Le Roux Malan, Luan Giliomee, Marvin Orie, Phepsi Buthelezi, Ruan Dreyer, Simphiwe Matanzima, Siya Masuku, Thomas Dyer, Trevor Nyakane, Yaw Penxe