Hollywoodbets Sharks plan to go flat-out in the Challenge Cup in their quest to bring a bit of smiles at the end of what has been a disappointing season for the Durbanites.
The star-studded Sharks have had a season to forget, especially in the United Rugby Championship (URC) where they find themselves in the bottom half of the table with just three wins from 13 outings.
The men from Durban are virtually out of the running for the top-eight finish in the URC, which guarantees them Champions Cup qualification.
Their only realistic chance to be part of the prestigious Champions Cup hinges on them winning the Challenge Cup.
The Sharks are in the quarterfinals of the tournament, and they host Scotland’s Edinburgh at Hollywoodbets Kings Park Stadium in Durban on Saturday at 13:30.
Sharks lock and newest Hollywoodbets ambassador Eben Etzebeth reckons that winning the European Professional Club Rugby’s second-tier competition has become the only way they can save their season.
“We’ve had a very disappointing season,” Etzebeth told Hollywoodbets Sports Blog.
“We wanted more out of this season, but we still have the Challenge Cup where we’ve got three more games in the playoffs.
“Look, if we don’t make it or win the final it would be a very disappointing season because there’s no silverware or won’t even make the top eight of the URC.
“But at least if we win it there will be some joy at the end of what was a disappointing season,” he said.
READ: Springbok star Eben Etzebeth and wife Anlia excited about joining betting giants Hollywoodbets
“So, me, all the players and the coaching staff are going flat-out for the Challenge Cup, and we will give our all, give our best shot and hopefully we can pull this one against Edinburgh at the weekend.
“The aim is to turn this very disappointing season into a bit of a smile at the end of the season.”
Etzebeth and his side remain bookmakers’ favourite to clinch the Challenge Cup title.
Other teams that are still in contention are Ulster, Connacht, Gloucester, Clermont, Benetton, Ospreys and Edinburgh.
Etzebeth missed the Challenge Cup round of 16 match against Zebre Parma after he sustained an injury against Edinburgh in the URC a fortnight ago.
We’re putting the ‘bet’ in Etzebeth😜💜
— Hollywoodbets (@Hollywoodbets) April 11, 2024
Introducing the newest additions to #PurpleTeam💜Joining as our new brand ambassadors, Eben and Anlia Etzebeth 🏉🎤💜#HollywoodbetsXEtzebeth#HWBTWT pic.twitter.com/IEeVvbpfIB
