The Hollywoodbets Sharks have selected their team for the showdown against Gloucester in Friday night’s EPCR Challenge Cup Final.
The Hollywoodbets Sharks have selected their team for the showdown against Gloucester in Friday night’s EPCR Challenge Cup Final.
To no surprise, Eben Etzebeth has been selected to lead the Sharks after it was apparent that regular skipper Lukhanyo Am is injured and won’t be able to take to the field this weekend.
In what will be a historic occasion, Hollywoodbets Sharks head coach John Plumtree has stuck with the team that defeated Clermont in the semi-final.
That means a whole Springbok front row of Ox Nche, Bongi Mbonambi and Vincent Koch looking to add some bite to the game. Gerbrandt takes the No 5 jumper as skipper Eben is at No 4.
Your Hollywoodbets Sharks team for The Challenge Cup final against Gloucester Rugby tomorrow 🦈
— The Sharks (@SharksRugby) May 23, 2024
Read full team release article on https://t.co/ir3SMVKnK8 #ChallengeCup #GLOvSHA #RoadToRedemption pic.twitter.com/Iclg1p5Yxl
The loose forwards will be the same as the semi-final with James Venter, Vincent Tshituka and Phepsi Buthelezi.
The impressive half-back duo of Grant Williams and Siya Masuku will be pivotal to the men from KwaZulu-Natal. Then sees the welcome return of breakthrough star Ethan Hooker coming in for injured regular captain Am at the No 13 jersey while Francois ‘Swys’ Venter takes over the No 12 jersey.
The back three is explosive as they come with Makazole Mapimpi, Werner Kok and Aphelele Fassi all dangerous and deadly with ball in hand.
Amongst the bench, Dylan Richardson and Eduan Keyter both impressed in the last match against Cardiff and have been rewarded with a place in the matchday 23.
Hollywoodbets Sharks loosehead prop Nche, who will be playing his 50th international competition game for the Hollywoodbets Sharks has shared what the secret is it to keeping his teammates calm and relaxed during finals.
“The mood in the camp is pretty good, everyone is focussed. Keeping players calm and everyone focussed on what they need to do and how they can help the team; that’s our biggest task at the moment”, said Nche.
Hollywoodbets Sharks
1. Ox Nche*, 2. Bongi Mbonambi, 3. Vincent Koch, 4. Eben Etzebeth (Captain), 5. Gerbrandt Grobler, 6. James Venter, 7. Vincent Tshituka, 8. Phepsi Buthelezi, 9. Grant Williams, 10. Siya Masuku, 11. Makazole Mapimpi, 12. Francois Venter, 13. Ethan Hooker, 14. Werner Kok, 15. Aphelele Fassi.
Replacements
16, Fez Mbatha, 17. Ntuthuko Mchunu, 18. Hanro Jacobs, 19. Lappies Labuschagne, 20. Dylan Richardson, 21. Cameron Wright, 22. Curwin Bosch, 23. Eduan Keyter
*Denotes 50th international competition game for the Hollywoodbets Sharks
Surprise, surprise, Ox can't wait to get scrumming 👊
— EPCR Challenge Cup (@ChallengeCup_) May 22, 2024
Can @SharksRugby pack overpower @GloucesterRugby's? #ChallengeCupRugby
