HOLLYWOODBETS Sharks have a busy week ahead as they prepare to host Munster in an important United Rugby Championship game on Saturday.
This match, which will be the first after the Six Nations break that started at the end of January, will start at 5 pm at Hollywoodbets Kings Park, Durban.
These teams met in the quarterfinals of this competition last season in a game that ended in a 24-24 tie. The game went to penalties where the Sharks won 6-4.
The Durban team needs points as they are sitting in 11th place out of 24. They are six points adrift of the eighth-placed Vodacom Bulls, the last place to enter the URC quarterfinals.
This team coached by JP Pietersen needs points to increase the chances of advancing to the playoffs following defeats by the Lions and Bulls in recent games.
“We analyzed the last two games well. Among the things we did not do well, we can count not kicking well, losing momentum and not using our energy. Those are the things that won us the two games against the Stormers, and we did not do them in the next two games,” said Sharks defender Jordan Hendrikse.
“We pulled ourselves together, we admitted our mistakes, and we believe that we will be ready for Saturday’s game against Munster.”
The return of the Springbok players who were rested means that the coach will be able to strengthen the team that will play against Ireland on Saturday.
This game will be followed by a home game for the Sharks against Cardiff on March 27, and an away game against the Ospreys on April 18.
It will continue to play abroad by facing Edinburgh in Scotland, on April 24, Benetton on May 9, and Zebre on May 16.
Among these games is the Last 16 of the EPCR Challenge Cup on April 3.
DHL Stormers are the leading local team as they sit second on the log with 41 points
Sharks squad to face Munster
Starting: 15 Luan Giliomee, 14 Yaw Penxe, 13 Ethan Hooker, 12 Andre Esterhuizen (captain), 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Jordan Hendrikse, 9 Grant Williams, 8 Phepsi Buthelezi, 7 Vincent Tshituka, 6 Siya Kolisi, 5 Emile van Heerden, 4 Jason Jenkins, 3 Hanro Jacobs, 2 Fez Mbatha, 1 August Small.
Ebhentshini: 16 Eduan Swart, 17 Ox Nche, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 Corne Rahl, 20 Nick Hatton, 21 Bradley Davids, 22 Jean Smith, 23 Hakeem Kunene.
