After back-to-back home victories at Hollywoodbets Kings Park in the opening fortnight of the Vodacom United Rugby Championship, the Hollywoodbets Sharks face off against the DHL Stormers at Cape Town Stadium in their first away game of the tournament.
Head Coach JP Pietersen has made several positional and rotational changes to his side for the derby clash against the DHL Stormers, reflecting a grounded respect for the challenge ahead while remaining firmly focused on the team’s ambition.
Following their exploits off the bench in last week’s victory over Leinster, Pietersen has named Ox Nche, Eben Etzebeth and Ethan Hooker in his starting line-up for this Saturday’s match.
Reflecting on the challenge that lies ahead, Hollywoodbets Sharks scrum coach Philip Lemmer admits that, “It’s definitely going to be a massive battle this week, it’s like two big brothers taking each other on at scrum time because they all know one other really well, having scrummed together at the Boks and against each other as well.
“It’s a big contest and a big point of focus to see who can dominate at scrum time.”
The stats indicate that the Hollywoodbets Sharks boast an enviable record at the set-piece, with barely a blip at scrum and lineout time. It’s all about controlling the controllables and maintaining ultra-high standards around that.
“Pre-season helps a lot, but the standards the guys set for themselves is gold for us,” says Lemmer.
“Each guy keeps the guy next to him accountable and that’s the only way to drive standards.
So, it’s our standards that are our fire, we’re not marking 90% or 100%, we’re marking standards on whether we nail the job or not and that’s keeping us accountable.
“If we maintain that, the results and good stats will come by themselves.”
Looking at the opposition and the big picture around what the result of the match means, he explains that, “The local derbies are important for log points as well as the team’s morale and regardless of who the DHL Stormers select, Boks or not, they’re a great team. We know it’s not going to be easy on Saturday, we’re in for a huge battle and that’s just as it should be.
“It’s set to be a tight contest, but hopefully a great game that showcases the best of this coastal rivalry.”
Hollywoodbets Sharks
1. Ox Nche
2. Eduan Swart
3. Thomas du Toit
4. Eben Etzebeth
5. Darrien Landsberg
6. Matt Romao
7. Manu Tshituka
8. Phepsi Buthelezi
9. Jaden Hendrikse
10. Vusi Moyo
11. Ethan Hooker
12. Andre Esterhuizen (C)
13. Jurenzo Julius
14. Edwill van der Merwe
15. Zekhethelo Siyaya
Replacements
16. Esethu Mnebelele
17. Cameron Dawson
18. Vincent Koch
19. Jason Jenkins
20. Stephan Lewies
21. Nick Hatton
22. Ivan van Zyl
23. Gianni Lombard
