Esterhuizen to lead Bok-laden Sharks against Saracens

Saturday’s Investec Champions Cup group stage clash against Saracens at Hollywoodbets Kings Park is an opportunity for the Hollywoodbets Sharks to show their pedigree against one of Europe’s most successful sides.

This week is all about taking the good from the opening game against Toulouse last week and topping it up with Springbok pedigree.

“Our message to the younger guys in the squad is that despite last week’s loss, it was still a good game, they showed a lot of heart and really played with guts,” admits Sharks centre Andre Esterhuizen.

“There were a few execution errors that weren’t converted that cost the team but to go up against a full-strength Toulouse side is quite a challenge, for any team, let alone a young team, so the boys can be proud of the performance they put out there.

“You learn from these big games, against the likes of Toulouse and Saracens, that’s how you get better. So the message was to stick in there and push through!”

The returning Boks will have a big role to play now that the international season is over and while there have been changes at the franchise, the centre of attention remains doing the job on the field.

“A lot has happened while we were away, but everyone’s focus is the same task: to get back to where we should be, we’re all focused on this weekend’s game, a big one.

“We’ve had a good week of training, it’s been really hot but the boys have got stuck in and especially against Saracens, we want to go out and perform to the best of our abilities. We’ve seen team performances like that in the past but we haven’t been up to scratch this season so far, so we want to see our own game evolve and us as a team get better and play much better.”

The Saracens challenge is not too far removed from that of Toulouse and Esterhuizen warns of the size of the quest his team faces.

“They’re a great side, they showed their form against Clermont last week (a 47-10 victory for the English side), I’ve played them a few times in the past and they’re a tough team to beat.

“They’re very good at set-piece time, they like structure and we know it’s going to be tough.”

Having returned from a challenging Springbok campaign where the team showed remarkable resolve against the odds at times to show their resilience and grit, he believes this could stand the Sharks in good stead for this game, knowing that they have an important task ahead of them.

“We’ve all been in situations where we’ve had our backs against the wall but we look at this match as just our next game. In saying that, during the Springbok games, we did find ourselves with our backs against the wall and that experience could help us heading into this game against Saracens.”

Although motivation is high for such an important game, at home, in front of the Sharks supporters, Esterhuizen explains that it’s no different to any other game.

“We’re motivated every week to play well, we want the fans to come and watch us play, which is the goal of any team but yes, we want to put in the kind of performances that brings the fans back into the stands for the rest of the season.

“So now is a good time to start building momentum.”

Esterhuizen leads a side both star-studded and a mix of talented youth.

Aphelele Fassi has been handed a start in his customary fullback position, the weekend special returning after sustaining an ankle injury for the Springboks against the All Blacks in September and his is a welcome return to action.

Hooker Bongi Mbonambi, flank Siya Kolisi, scrumhalf Grant Williams, Esterhuizen at centre, outside centre Ethan Hooker and Edwill van der Merwe (wing) all feature in the starting XV after their exploits in a Springbok jersey during the recent internationals.

Esterhuizen, who celebrates his 100th appearance for the Hollywoodbets Sharks on this auspicious occasion, speaks of the milestone he is achieving, “It’s taken me a while to get here, but it’s a massive honour to play my 100th game for a franchise like the Hollywoodbets Sharks. I was always going to come back here after my stint overseas and I’m really excited for this week and honoured to play 100 games in the jersey.”

Saracens have had a similar season to the Sharks, having missed their internationals during the Autumn Nations Series and the British & Irish Lions tour to Australia between June and August, but they have brought back the likes of Ben Earl, Elliot Daly, Owen Farrell and Jamie George for the mini tour to South Africa and like the Durban side who were recent Challenge Cup title-holders, the three-time Champions Cup winners from England will feel they have a point to prove.

Hollywoodbets Sharks starting XV: 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Edwill van der Merwe, 13 Ethan Hooker, 12 Andre Esterhuizen (capt), 11 Makazole Mapimpi; 10 George Whitehead, 9 Grant Williams; 8 Phepsi Buthelezi, 7 Vincent Tshituka, 6 Siya Kolisi; 5 Emile van Heerden, 4 Jason Jenkins; 3 Hanro Jacobs, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Phatu Ganyane. Replacements: 16 Eduan Swart, 17 Lee-Marvin Mazibuko, 18 Mawande Mdanda, 19 Marvin Orie, 20 Matt Romao, 21 Nick Hatton, 22 Jaden Hendrickse, 23 Jordan Hendrickse.

Hollywoodbets Sharks v Saracens - Saturday Hollywoodbets Kings Park, Durban (5.15pm)

Referee: Luc Ramos (France)

TV: SuperSport