Vodacom United Rugby Championship

Sharks eyes top eight finish in URC

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Hanro Jacobs of Hollywoodbets Sharks and Vincent Tshituka of Hollywoodbets Sharks during United Rugby Championship 2024/25 game between Sharks and Munster at Kings Park in Durban, South Africa on 31 May 2025 ©Gerhard Duraan/BackpagePix

The Hollywoodbets Sharks side to take on Cardiff in Friday evening’s Vodacom United Rugby Championship clash has a settled look about it as the team look to continue their march towards a top 8 finish.

Head coach JP Pietersen has opted not to tinker too much with the side that smashed Munster last week, adopting the motto: ‘Don’t fix what ain’t broke’ as his sideline up the fifth-placed Welsh for a date at the Tank.

Pietersen has rewarded the pack for their outstanding effort by retaining the same line-up, while two changes have been enacted amongst the backs, Bradley Davids coming in for injured Grant Williams at scrumhalf, while Ethan Hooker is back from family responsibility leave to partner captain Andre Esterhuizen in the midfield.

Something the team will be looking to continue is the sheer joy derived from playing the game they love. Last week, the eruption of jubilation in celebrating a team-mate’s massive milestone and the two tries he scored prove why he is such a valuable member of the side.

And more so, how much of a brotherhood exists in the team.

Emile van Heerden, gave insights from a player’s point of view of what Makazole Mapimpi – playing in his 101st game for the franchise – brings to the team, saying, “He means a lot to South African rugby, not just the Hollywoodbets Sharks, and playing 100 games is something to be celebrated. What made it even sweeter was him scoring two tries at the end.

“We want to make it special when it’s an occasion, be it your 100th game, your 50th or even your first.

“So a big win over Munster was a sweet finish.”

Friday’s match kicks off at 7pm.

Hollywoodbets Sharks
1. Phatu Ganyane
2. Fez Mbatha
3. Hanro Jacobs
4. Jason Jenkins
5. Emile van Heerden
6. Phepsi Buthelezi
7. Vincent Tshituka
8. Nick Hatton
9. Bradley Davids
10. Jordan Hendrikse
11. Makazole Mapimpi
12. Andre Esterhuizen (C)
13. Ethan Hooker
14. Yaw Penxe
15. Luan Giliomee

Replacements
16. Eduan Swart
17. Ox Nche
18. Vincent Koch
19. Corne Rahl
20. Jannes Potgieter
21. Jaden Hendrikse / Ross Braude
22. Jean Smith
23. Le Roux Malan