The Vodacom United Rugby Championship wastes no time easing into the new year, throwing the Lions straight into Durban’s deep end against a Hollywoodbets Sharks side reborn under new stewardship on Saturday.
Like a pack sharpening its claws, the Lions arrive at Hollywoodbets Kings Park determined to halt the Sharks’ upward surge and claw their way back into the Top 8. Ivan van Rooyen’s men sit ninth on the standings, knowing a derby victory could see them leapfrog into playoff contention.
There’s youthful electricity on the Lions bench, with Junior Springbok scrumhalf Haashim Pead and the hard-charging Renzo du Plessis primed to inject late spark. The Joburg outfit will also draw belief from a gutsy showing against the Stormers two weeks ago — a performance that suggested their defensive wall can still bend without breaking.
Assistant coach Ricardo Loubscher insists the Lions’ approach will be built brick by brick rather than on reputation.
“We want everything to be process-driven,” said Loubscher. “That’s attack, defence and kicking game. If you look at the Sharks since JP took over, they are a team that is on the up. We can see the improved effort, the belief and we can see it in the way they play.
“We know it’s going to be a tough battle on Saturday, but we are excited. If you look at the names they have and the experience in that squad, it’s exciting because there are a lot of things we’ve learned within our own team.”
The Lions have been forced into changes, with locks Darrien Landsberg (shoulder) and Reinhard Nothnagel (concussion) ruled out, alongside prop SJ Kotze. Eddie Davids continues his front-row run, supported by RF Schoeman and Conrad van Vuuren off the bench, while captain Francke Horn again leads from the coalface.
Across the halfway line, the Sharks look every bit a side rediscovering its bite. Head coach JP Pietersen welcomes back heavyweight Springboks Ox Nche and Aphelele Fassi into the starting XV, with just three changes overall — a sign of growing continuity.
Locks and loose forwards return to bolster a bench that blends youth with Bok calmness in Phepsi Buthelezi and Jaden Hendrikse, while Siya Masuku offers game-breaking flair late on.
Flanker Vincent Tshituka believes belief has replaced doubt in Durban.
“It’s been a really exciting time at the Hollywoodbets Sharks, we’ve had two good wins after a rough start to the season and that’s helped us build the little bit of momentum and confidence we needed.
“[Coach] JP has really challenged us on going from good to great and it’s really lifted our standards in everything we do.
“The players are also taking personal responsibility as well and driving those standards. There has been a lot of buy-in over the past couple of weeks.”
Despite the Christmas pause, Tshituka says the Sharks have stayed match-ready.
“There’s quite a buzz around training and lots of excitement playing an SA derby, it’s always a big one against the Lions, a spectacle and we expect nothing less than that. The guys are really looking forward to the challenge.
“We’re all excited and believe we can turn this season around.”
With coastal humidity, derby intensity and playoff implications all colliding, Saturday promises a contest where the tougher pack will dictate the narrative.
Team Sheets
Hollywoodbets Sharks
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Ox Nche
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Bongi Mbonambi
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Hanro Jacobs
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Jason Jenkins
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Emile van Heerden
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Siya Kolisi
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Vincent Tshituka
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Manu Tshituka
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Grant Williams
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Jordan Hendrikse
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Makazole Mapimpi
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Andre Esterhuizen (captain)
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Ethan Hooker
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Edwill van der Merwe
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Aphelele Fassi
Replacements:
16. Eduan Swart
17. Phatu Ganyane
18. Mawande Mdanda
19. Corne Rahl
20. Phepsi Buthelezi
21. Nick Hatton
22. Jaden Hendrikse
23. Siya Masuku
Lions
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Quan Horn
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Kelly Mpeku
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Erich Cronje
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Bronson Mills
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Angelo Davids
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Chris Smith
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Morne van den Berg
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Francke Horn (captain)
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Ruan Venter
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Jarod Cairns
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Ruben Schoeman
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Etienne Oosthuizen
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Asenathi Ntlabakanye
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PJ Botha
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Eddie Davids
Replacements:
16. Morne Brandon
17. RF Schoeman
18. Conrad van Vuuren
19. Ruan Delport
20. Renzo du Plessis
21. Siba Qoma
22. Haashim Pead
23. Richard Kriel
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Date: Saturday, January 3
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Venue: Hollywoodbets Kings Park, Durban
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Kick-off: 15:30 (13:30 GMT)
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Referee: Chris Allison
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Assistant Referees: Aimee Barrett-Theron, Hanru van Rooyen
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TMO: Egon Seconds
