Kolisi To Lead The Ravaged Sharks Against Eagles
Springbok captain Siya Kolisi once again leads the Hollywoodbets Sharks this weekend when they play their final Investec Champions Cup pool game against Bordeaux Begles at the Stade Chaban-Delmas in France.
Hollywoodbets Sharks head coach John Plumtree has once again had to rejig his team following a frustrating run of injuries, having lost Vincent Koch, Jordan Hendrikse and Makazole Mapimpi last week to add to the injury toll.
OX Nche has some respite, being named on the bench for a second half effort with Ntuthuko Mchunu taking his place and Trevor Nyakane in for the injured Koch.
Grant Williams and Siya Masuku will start as the halfback pairing in place of the Hendrikse brothers, while Yaw Penxe shifts to fullback, Eduan Keyter is moved to his wing, Ethan Hooker takes over from Mapimpi on the other wing and Jurenzo Julius gets a start at outside centre.
Speaking ahead of the match, Plumtree explained the change upfront saying that, “Ox has shouldered a big responsibility, he’s played a lot of rugby and we obviously have a fairly big injury toll right now.”
Despite the challenges the Hollywoodbets Sharks team face, Plumtree is happy with how his players are responding.
“We want to win and we are a point away from qualifying,” said Plumtree at Friday’s press conference.
“But it has been difficult for us because we are having so many injuries in our team. But we want to stay there so that when the other players are back, we give it another go.”
Hollywoodbets Sharks
- Ntuthuko Mchunu
- Bongi Mbonambi
- Trevor Nyakane
- Corne Rahl
- Jason Jenkins
- Phepsi Buthelezi
- Emmanuel Tshituka
- Siya Kolisi (c)
- Grant Williams
- Siya Masuku
- Ethan Hooker
- Francois Venter
- Jurenzo Julius
- Eduan Keyter
- Yaw Penxe Replacements
- Ethan Bester
- Ox Nche
- Hanro Jacobs
- Jeandre Labuschagne
- Dylan Richardson
- Bradley Davids
- Jaden Hendrikse
- Hakeem Kunene
The following players are not available for selection due to injury:
Andre Esterhuizen
Aphelele Fassi
Braam Reyneke
Eben Etzebeth
Emile van Heerden
Fez Mbatha
Gerbrandt Grobler
James Venter
Jordan Hendrikse
Khwezi Mona
Lukhanyo Am
Makazole Mapimpi
Marnus Potgieter
Vincent Koch
Vincent Tshituka
DURBAN, SOUTH AFRICA – JANUARY 11: Matthis Lebel of Toulouse during the Investec Champions Cup match between Hollywoodbets Sharks and Stade Toulousain at Hollywoodbets Kings Park Stadium on January 11, 2025 in Durban, South Africa. (Photo by Steve Haag Sports)
