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
1. Ox Nche
2. Eduan Swart
3. Vincent Koch
4. Eben Etzebeth
5. Deon Slabbert
6. Tino Mavesere
7. Jannes Potgieter
8. Nick Hatton (C)
9. Ross Braude
10. Jean Smith
11. Makazole Mapimpi
12. Marnus Potgieter
13. Le Roux Malan
14. Edwill van der Merwe
15. Hakeem Kunene

Replacements
16. Ethan Bester
17. Lee-Marvin Mazibuko
18. Mawande Mdanda
19. Corne Rahl
20. Vincent Tshituka
21. Ceano Everson
22. Siya Masuku
23. Ethan Hooker