sportskeeda
The Hollywoodbets Sharks are looking to establish consistency in their Round 17 Vodacom United Rugby Championship match against Ospreys at Hollywoodbets Kings Park this Friday at 7 PM.
Head coach John Plumtree has largely kept the squad that achieved victory over Ulster 22-19 in Belfast two weeks ago, making just three adjustments for the upcoming match.
One change in the forward pack sees Dian Bleuler stepping in for Ox Nche (who is currently ill) at loosehead prop. Additionally, Siya Masuku replaces Jordan Hendrikse at flyhalf, and Jurenzo Julius takes Lukhanyo Am’s position at outside centre.
The latter two players will start on the bench, with Francois Venter and Yaw Penxe coming in as substitutes.
After clinching two important overseas wins on back-to-back weekends, the Hollywoodbets Sharks sit in fourth place in the standings, seven points ahead of Cardiff, who are set to face a challenging Vodacom Bulls at Loftus on Saturday.
The Durban-based team needs just three log points from the final two weekends to secure a home quarterfinal and semifinal (if they progress to the last four). In this second-to-last round, they aim for a full set of log points to strengthen their top-four position—or potentially even higher, depending on other results.
Focusing solely on their own preparations and performance, the Hollywoodbets Sharks will remain undistracted by other matches, allowing the outcomes to unfold naturally.
Hollywoodbets Sharks
- Dian Bleuler
- Bongi Mbonambi
- Vincent Koch
- Eben Etzebeth (C)
- Jason Jenkins
- James Venter
- Vincent Tshituka
- Siya Kolisi
- Jaden Hendrikse
- Siya Masuku
- Makazole Mapimpi
- Andre Esterhuizen
- Jurenzo Julius
- Ethan Hooker
- Aphelele Fassi
Replacements
- Fez Mbatha
- Ntuthuko Mchunu
- Hanro Jacobs
- Emmanuel Tshituka
- Phepsi Buthelezi
- Bradley Davids
- Francois Venter
- Yaw Penxe
Players unavailable for selection due to injury or illness:
Corne Rahl
Dylan Richardson
Emile van Heerden
Gerbrandt Grobler
Grant Williams
Henry Immelman
Jordan Hendrikse
Lukhanyo Am
Marnus Potgieter
Ox Nche
Ruan Dryer
Trevor Nyakane
