The Hollywoodbets Sharks team announced by Head Coach, John Plumtree has been bolstered by the return of some of their Springboks for Saturday’s Vodacom United Rugby Championship action when they host the Vodacom Bulls in a massive South African derby at Hollywoodbets Kings Park.

Big inside centre Andre Esterhuizen provides some insight into where the team is at right now as they prepare for the big game.

“Coming off a tough loss in the EPCR, bouncing back is our main priority,” he explains. “Training has gone well, it’s a local derby, the Bulls are always tough and we’re bracing ourselves for a big challenge.”

With an enviable home record in recent times, Esterhuizen admits that they are keen to keep it that way.

“You want to win all your home games because that makes things so much easier in the competition, especially with all the travel. If you make sure of winning at home, any points away are a bonus.

“Durban is a tough place to come and play, the weather and humidity are big factors, and we as a team want to make it tough to come and play here. We want to make it hard, physical, and very fast, and the more we can do that, and put teams under pressure, the better.

“Winning at home means a lot to us and the fans, having more fans in the stadium is what we want and that makes it easier for us when we play.

“Being at home is a massive boost, you have your fans behind you, and we have a sold-out crowd, which we really appreciate. The fans have been showing up in numbers in the last few games and that’s been great for us. We feel we’re on the right track.

It’s not going to be easy on Saturday as the Bulls arrive in Durban also off an Investec Champions Cup loss last weekend, and as traditional rivals, always offer a huge challenge.

“Historically, playing the Bulls is always tough from a physicality point of view, it’s a north-south derby that’s always been great to play in.

“It’s going to be a physical challenge, we know them well, they know us well.”

Hollywoodbets Sharks

1. Ox Nche

2. Dylan Richardson

3. Vincent Koch

4. Jason Jenkins

5. Emile van Heerden 

6. Phepsi Buthelezi

7. Emmanuel Tshituka

8. Siya Kolisi (C)

9. Jaden Hendrikse

10. Jordan Hendrikse

11. Makazole Mapimpi

12. Andre Esterhuizen

13. Ethan Hooker

14. Yaw Penxe

15. Aphelele Fassi

Replacements

16. Ethan Bester

17. Ruan Dreyer

18. Trevor Nyakane

19. Corne Rahl

20. Nick Hatton

21. Cameron Wright

22. Siya Masuku

23. Jurenzo Julius