sportskeeda
A strong Hollywoodbets Sharks touring squad is scheduled to leave for Scotland this week for their Vodacom United Rugby Championship double-header in rounds 15 and 16.
The team will take on Edinburgh on Friday evening (20:30) at Hove Stadium, followed by a trip to Ireland to compete against Ulster in their final away match, leading up to two home games at Hollywoodbets Kings Park ahead of the knockout stages.
With the main focus on the VURC campaign and the aim for a top-four finish in the pool stages, Hollywoodbets Sharks head coach John Plumtree has put together what might be the strongest squad at his disposal this season. Key players returning include Springboks Eben Etzebeth, Grant Williams, Lukhanyo Am, and Aphelele Fassi, all of whom have recovered from various injuries and are back in the selection mix.
This tour signifies a vital segment in the Hollywoodbets Sharks’ journey as they seek to gather essential log points away from home against two teams still chasing a top-four position [Ulster currently sits in sixth place, while Edinburgh is in eighth].
The 16 forwards and 12 backs representing the Black & White jersey fully understand the challenges that lie ahead in these final four weeks before the knockout rounds commence.
With everything at stake and the possibility of beneficial results from other matches, every point secured before the quarter-finals brings them closer to achieving a home quarter-final, and possibly even a home semi-final.
Yet, for the moment, a confident Edinburgh team awaits.
FORWARDS
Bongi Mbonambi
Eben Etzebeth
Emile van Heerden
Ethan Bester
Fezokuhle Mbatha
Hanro Jacobs
James Venter
Jason Jenkins
Manu Tshituka
Ntuthuko Mchunu
Ox Nche
Phepsi Buthelezi
Ruan Dreyer
Siya Kolisi
Vincent Koch
Vincent Tshituka
BACKS
Andre Esterhuizen
Aphelele Fassi
Bradley Davids
Ethan Hooker
Grant Williams
Jaden Hendrikse
Jordan Hendrikse
Jurenzo Julius
Lukhanyo Am
Makazole Mapimpi
Siya Masuku
Yaw Penxe
Image courtesy of Steve Haag Sports
