The men from Durban have announced the match-day squad that will travel to Cape Town to take on the DHL Stormers this weekend.
This Coastal Derby has seen some epic encounters over the years in both Super Rugby and the United Rugby Championship.
Head coach of the Hollywoodbets Sharks John Plumtree has made minimal changes to the team that lost to the Toyota Cheetahs two weeks ago.
There are three changes to the starting line-up, with Emile van Heerden back to replace Le Roux Roets, while Jeandre Labuschagne comes in at flank, meaning a shift for Phepsi Buthelezi to no 8 in place of Sikhumbuzo Notshe.
Your starting XV to take on the DHL Stormers ahead of tomorrow's coastal derby 🦈
— The Sharks (@SharksRugby) December 29, 2023
🔗: https://t.co/FIeOQ5LU6L#FearTheFin @vodacom #URC #STOvSHA pic.twitter.com/rdEHSJUGop
Another change sees Jaden Hendrikse getting a start with Grant Williams playing off the bench in a straight swap.
We’ll also get to see 27-year-old Joel Hintz for the first time in a Hollywoodbets Sharks jersey.
The New Zealand prop was brought over to Durban as front row cover from 2020 National Provincial Championship title-holders Hawke’s Bay, while he has also turned out for the New England Free Jacks in Major League Rugby in the USA.
George Cronje returns to action on the bench while Boeta Chamberlain takes over from Lionel Cronje in the final change on the timber.
Hollywoodbets Sharks
1. Ox Nche, 2. Kerron van Vuuren, 3. Coenie Oosthuizen, 4. Eben Etzebeth, 5. Emile van Heerden, 6. James Venter, 7. Jeandre ‘Lappies’ Labuschagne, 8. Phepsi Buthelezi, 9. Jaden Hendrikse, 10. Curwin Bosch, 11. Makazole Mapimpi, 12. Francois Venter, 13. Lukhanyo Am (c), 14. Werner Kok, 15. Aphelele Fassi
Replacements:
16. Daniel Jooste, 17. Ntuthuko Mchunu, 18. Joel Hintz*, 19. Corne Rahl, 20. George Cronje, 21 Grant Williams, 22. Boeta Chamberlain, 23. Ethan Hooker
*Possible debut for the Hollywoodbets Sharks.
