The Hollywoodbets Sharks are back in action against Connacht in Durban this week as they look to get their Vodacom United Rugby Championship campaign back on track.
The men from Durban take on Connacht this weekend and have made some changes to the team including the return of 2-time World Champion Lukhanyo Am back in the mix.
This will be the team’s first home game of the season.
Am is the only player amongst the Springboks who has been released to return to action for the Hollywoodbets Sharks as the Durban side face their third Irish opponent in five weeks.
Head coach John Plumtree has also confirmed the news of two key players who are out due to injuries
The Springbok centre returns to a Hollywoodbets Sharks backline with pace to burn ⚡️
— SuperSport Rugby (@SSRugby) November 17, 2023
9. Cameron Wright
10. Curwin Bosch
11. Aphiwe Dyantyi
12. Francois Venter
13. Lukhanyo Am
14. Werner Kok
15. Aphelele Fassi#UnitedWeRise pic.twitter.com/XWLbHH86Pc
“Vincent Koch will be back after three months, Bongi Mbonambi will be out longer, it could be the whole season”, says Plumtree.
Casting his eye to Saturday’s opposition, Plumtree explained of Connacht, “They’re another Irish side that is pretty experienced, they have a lot of URC caps amongst the forwards, so it’s going to be a great battle for our forward pack.
Despite where they are in the URC log standings, the coach is very optimistic about his side’s chances of winning at home in front of their fans.
“It’s going to be a tough challenge for us, they’re a pretty consistent side, a real threat. We’re going to have to play really well and I’m hoping our energy for this first game back home is high, and that we get a good crowd that cheers us on”, says Plumtree.
Hollywoodbets Sharks vs Connacht
1. Ntuthuko Mchunu, 2. Dylan Richardson, 3. Coenie Oosthuizen, 4. Corne Rahl, 5. Emile van Heerden, 6. James Venter, 7. Phepsi Buthelezi, 8. Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 9. Cameron Wright, 10. Curwin Bosch, 11. Aphiwe Dyantyi, 12. Francois Venter (c), 13. Lukhanyo Am, 14. Werner Kok, 15. Aphelele Fassi.
