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United Rugby Championship

URC: Hollywoodbets Sharks’ centre anticipating brutal URC battle against the Bulls

Hollywoodbets Sharks midfielder Andre Esterhuizen is expecting a typically physical URC derby encounter with the Bulls when the sides clash at Hollywoodbets Kings Park on Saturday.

Andre Esterhuizen of the Hollywoodbets Sharks - URC
Image Copyright - Steve Haag Sports

Hollywoodbets Sharks midfielder Andre Esterhuizen is expecting a typically physical URC derby encounter with the Bulls when the sides clash at Hollywoodbets Kings Park on Saturday.

Two women looking excitedly at cellphone

After a convincing European Champions Cup win over Exeter Chiefs at home a fortnight ago, an under-strength Sharks side was trounced 17-56 at Welford Road by Leicester Tigers last week. The Bulls meanwhile come into this weekend’s clash following successive European losses to Saracens away and Northampton Saints at Loftus Versfeld.

Ahead of the resumption of the URC, the Durbanites are placed sixth on 19 log points but can reel in the two-time runners-up (third with 24-points) with a big enough win on Saturday.

“As we all know a local derby against the Bulls is always a tough game, so we’re bracing for a tough challenge,” said Esterhuizen on Wednesday.

“The Bulls historically is always a tough game physicality-wise. The north-south derby has always been a great game to play in.

“It’s going to be a physical challenge. We know them well, they know us well. It all depends on what the weather throws at us this weekend which obviously dictates what the game will look like. But it’s always been a tough game against the Bulls.”

The 2023 World Cup-winner was among a group of internationals rested for the Sharks’ trip to England last week but is eager to make home ground advantage count against Jake White’s men in front of what should be a packed Hollywoodbets Kings Park crowd.

“You obviously want to win all of your home games, it makes everything easier in the competition, especially with all the travel. If you make sure you win your home games, everything else is just a bonus,” he said.

“We want to make it tough [for opposition teams] to come play here. We want to make it a hard, tough game; very physical and very fast. The more we can do that – put teams under pressure here – the better it will be for us.“

Kick-off is at 18h00.

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