Ox, Etzebeth, Hooker start for Sharks against Stormers

The Hollywoodbets Sharks have opened their Vodacom United Rugby Championship campaign with two bonus-point wins from two, taking the maximum 10 log points from victories over Ospreys (41-24) and Leinster (26-20).

The results reward a pre-season spent building a clear game model: Fast, Physical, Relentless and a strong team culture as part of this Next Wave. The opening fortnight showed that model and connection at work. The scrum won all 19 of its feeds, the line-out 24 of 25 and the scrum and fast transition game together produced seven of the side’s nine tries.

Those moments were created by a relentless defence that made 286 tackles across the two matches and won 11 turnovers, backed by a kicking game that gained 925 metres.

The two wins came in very different ways. Against Ospreys, the Hollywoodbets Sharks dominated the ball: 110 carries, 10 clean breaks and 41 points. Against Leinster, they won without it. With 36% possession and 30% territory, the Hollywoodbets Sharks made 193 tackles and scored 2.6 points per visit to the 22, double Leinster’s 1.3.

“We are proud of the maximum points from the first two rounds, but there is plenty of work to do as a squad,” said head coach JP Pietersen. “Our identity is taking shape. Against Leinster the group showed real passion and heart and found a way in the tough moments. That was a squad effort. Now we test it on the road.”

This weekend brings the first away match of the season, against the DHL Stormers in Cape Town.

“The boys stood up against Leinster, and that was pleasing to see,” said scrum coach Philip Lemmer. “It was a unit effort across the tight five, loosies and hooker. Derbies are won by laying the foundation upfront and discipline at scrum time wins derbies. We have a lot of respect for the Stormers and for the strong contest they will bring.”

Prop Ox Nche, back after international duty, added: “It’s been good to be back with the team and one thing that has stood out for me is that we do what we say and there is a lot of effort and action, not just words. There is more belief and connection with each other, and we are all on the same wavelength and more aligned, if I can say. There is definitely a difference from the previous seasons and I am enjoying it.”

After back-to-back home victories at Hollywoodbets Kings Park in the opening fortnight of the URC, the Sharks face off against the Stormers at Cape Town Stadium in their first away game of the tournament.

Pietersen has made several positional and rotational changes to his side for the derby clash against the Stormers, reflecting a grounded respect for the challenge ahead while remaining firmly focused on the team’s ambition.

Following their exploits off the bench in last week’s victory over Leinster, Pietersen has named Nche, Eben Etzebeth and Ethan Hooker in his starting line-up for this Saturday’s match.

Reflecting on the challenge that lies ahead, Lemmer admits that, “It’s definitely going to be a massive battle this week, it’s like two big brothers taking each other on at scrum time because they all know one other really well, having scrummed together at the Boks and against each other as well.

“It’s a big contest and a big point of focus to see who can dominate at scrum time.”

The stats indicate that the Sharks boast an enviable record at the set-piece, with barely a blip at scrum and line-out time. It’s all about controlling the controllables and maintaining ultra-high standards around that.

“Pre-season helps a lot but the standards the guys set for themselves is gold for us,” says Lemmer.

“Each guy keeps the guy next to him accountable and that’s the only way to drive standards.

So, it’s our standards that are our fire, we’re not marking 90% or 100%, we’re marking standards on whether we nail the job or not and that’s keeping us accountable.

“If we maintain that, the results and good stats will come by themselves.”

Looking at the opposition and the big picture around what the result of the match means, he explains that, “The local derbies are important for log points as well as the team’s morale and regardless of who the Stormers select, Boks or not, they’re a great team. We know it’s not going to be easy on Saturday, we’re in for a huge battle and that’s just as it should be.

“It’s set to be a tight contest, but hopefully a great game that showcases the best of this coastal rivalry.”

DHL Stormers starting XV: 15 Damian Willemse, 14 Seabelo Senatla, 13 Ruhan Nel (capt), 12 Jonathan Roche, 11 Leolin Zas; 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 9 Cobus Reinach; 8 Hacjivah Dayimani, 7 Siya Kolisi, 6 Paul de Villiers; 5 JD Schickerling, 4 Adré Smith; 3 Wilco Louw, 2 André-Hugo Venter, 1 Ntuthuko Mchunu. Replacements: 16 Deon Fourie, 17 Vernon Matongo, 18 Neethling Fouché, 19 Riley Norton, 20 Connor Evans, 21 Evan Roos, 22 Haashim Pead, 23 Wandisile Simelane.

Hollywoodbets Sharks starting XV: 15 Zekhethelo Siyaya, 14 Edwill van der Merwe, 13 Jurenzo Julius, 12 Andre Esterhuizen (capt), 11 Ethan Hooker; 10 Vusi Moyo, 9 Jaden Hendrikse; 8 Phepsi Buthelezi, 7 Manu Tshituka, 6 Matt Romao; 5 Darrien Landsberg, 4 Eben Etzebeth; 3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Eduan Swart, 1 Ox Nche. Replacements: 16 Esethu Mnebelele, 17 Cameron Dawson, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 Jason Jenkins, 20 Stephan Lewies, 21 Nick Hatton, 22 Ivan van Zyl, 23 Gianni Lombard.

SATURDAY

DHL Stormers v Hollywoodbets Sharks

DHL Stadium, Cape Town – KO 3pm IRE & UK/4pm ITA & SA

Referee: Morné Ferreira (SARU, 25th league game)

AR 1: Griffin Colby (SARU) AR 2: Stephan Geldenhuys (SARU)

TMO: Quinton Immelman (SARU)

Live on: SuperSport, Premier Sports, TG4, Flo Rugby & URC.tv