Check out our five best Hollywoodbets Sharks players in the 12-3 win over Scarlets in Durban on Saturday in their final round robin game of the URC season.
Eben Etzebeth
Having rebounded from the injury that curtailed his involvement in his side’s previous outing against Ospreys, mighty Etzebeth stood tallest for the Hollywoodbets Sharks and duly collected the Man of the Match prize at the end of Saturday’s encounter. In one of the ugliest games of the season, the most capped Springbok of all time still managed to produce a quality display, highlighting again the gulf in class between himself and the rest of the mere mortals that took to the pitch.
Aphelele Fassi
Fassi converted three crucial penalties for his side following the ejection of injured Siya Masuku, a part of the Bok fullback’s game we had yet to see in the URC. In an otherwise stop-start affair, the Weekend Special did well to make 40-metres with ball in hand, seven carries across the gainline and an offload.
Aphelele Fassi at #10 for Springbok season? 👀
— SuperSport Rugby (@SSRugby) May 17, 2025
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Andre Esterhuizen
The Giant, like the rest of his teammates, may not have been at the peak of his powers against Scarlets, but his presence in midfield is always a major boon for the sides he represents, with opposition defenders simply unable to afford taking their eyes off him. His two handling errors were offset by a turnover won, six carries across the gainline and 41-carry metres.
Ethan Hooker
Hooker didn’t manage to get on the scoresheet this week, instead contributing with 53-metres in the carry, two offloads and a turnover won. He also made three tackles, one of which made for his best moment in the contest when he mowed down a storming Vaea Fifita to prevent a certain try.
Phepsi Buthelezi
Goaded on by his recent Springbok squad exclusion perhaps, Buthelezi again produced a solid performance in trying conditions. In a rare start at eighthman, the DHS Old Boy got stuck into 21-attacking rucks, while he also put in six hits on defence and carried for 18-metres.
