Hollywoodbest Sharks vs Zebre Parma - 22 March by Sharks Uncaged

HUNT OR BE HUNTED

HOLLYWOODBETS SHARKS

ZEBRE PARMA KICK-OFF 14H45 VS

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MATCH PREVIEW

SA SHIELD LOCKED IN; NOW FOR THE PLAYOFF SPOT

The Hollywoodbets Sharks, having secured the SA Shield of the Vodacom URC with a hard-fought but well-deserved home win against the Lions a fortnight ago, have now set their sights on achieving a best possible playoff spot and, perhaps, even a top-two finish…

The Vodacom United Rugby Championship is back in full swing, heading for the business end, and the race for playoff spots is heating up with 15 of the 16 teams still in with a shout at qualifying for the quarter-finals.

The Hollywoodbets Sharks are favourably poised in the fourth spot on the table and, therefore, view victory over the visiting Zebre Parma at Hollywoodbets Kings Park as non-negotiable to consolidate and even improve their log standing.

John Plumtree’s charges enter the fray today as favourites, being nine positions abreast of the Italian side on the ladder and coming off their SA Shield win against the Lions two weeks ago.

In addition, the Hollywoodbets Sharks have turned the Shark Tank into a

own hands, will be focussing on themselves and ensure that, with certain injured individuals starting to return to action, they start peaking with only six rounds of regular competition left in the URC.

"It hasn’t been easy,” Plumtree observed.

“We had a lot of injuries and niggles. We need to get bodies back on the field, and over the next few weeks, we should get some players back on board, which will help.

"Winning the SA Shield indicates that we are heading in the right direction. We aren't quite there yet, but over the next couple of years, we will be."

Next week, Irish giants Leinster arrive in town for what is shaping up as one of the major clashes of the year at Hollywoodbets Kings Park.

formidable fortress during this Vodacom URC campaign, having won all five of their home assignments, including three tough local derbies, to date.

"It's massively important for us to keep on winning at home," Plumtree says "We love playing at Hollywoodbets Kings Park in front of our fans."

During their previous two visits to Durban, Zebre Parma lost by more than 30 points on both occasions, yet the Durban-based outfit will certainly not underestimate the Italians, who have been performing exceptionally well this season, seeing off Ospreys, Ulster, Edinburgh and the Dragons - the last three on the trot.

The Hollywoodbets Sharks, knowing that their destiny is still firmly in their

WINNING THE SA SHIELD INDICATES

THAT WE ARE

HEADING..."

Although it is unlikely that Leinster will be knocked from their top-of-the-table position currently, a win for the Hollywoodbets Sharks will not only be a massive morale booster for Plumtree’s men but also greatly enhance their chances to move further up the standings and eventually perhaps even secure a second-place finish, which will, of course, mean a home semifinal.

There is still a lot of rugby to be played over the next couple of months, though, not forgetting the Hollywoodbets Sharks’ EPCR Challenge Cup Round of 16 date with Lyon in France on April 6, and, for the moment, the sole focus will be to ensure another vital home win against Zebre Parma today.

WORDS: ALBERT HEENOP

BOOGIE ’N PRECISION

At a mere 20 years old, Jurenzo Julius is not only SA Rugby’s Junior Springbok Player of the Year, but the powerhouse centre has already established himself as a household name in the Shark Tank…

The expression “boogieman”, or “bogeyman", is derived from Middle English, with words like "bugge" or "bogge" referring to "a frightening spectre”.

No wonder that Jurenzo Julius is nicknamed “The Boogieman”.

The 1.78 m, 96 kg midfield menace has been scaring the living daylights out of opposition three-quarters since his schooldays in Stellenbosch.

Having represented the Junior Springboks for two years on the trot, Julius ran in seven tries in 13 matches, hence his naming as Junior Springbok Player of the Year at SA Rugby’s recent award ceremony in Cape Town.

Born in neighbouring Namibia on May 11, 2004, Julius was educated at the prestigious Paul Roos Gymnasium, which, to date, has produced 56 Springboks - the most by any school in South Africa.

Having completed matric, Julius swiftly found his way to the Shark Tank and has, since his Vodacom United Rugby Championship debut against Connacht in September last year, already turned out a dozen times for the Hollywoodbets Sharks.

Although he has rapidly established a powerful presence in the Hollywoodbets Sharks’ midfield, it has also been a steady learning curve for the whizz-kid, and he has found the ultimate role model in World Cup-winning superstar Lukhanyo Am.

“I was starstruck when I first joined the Hollywoodbets Sharks,” Julius admits.

“There are so many world-class players, like Siya Kolisi and Lukhanyo. Lukhanyo, in particular, has played a significant role in my continuous development.

“We play in the same position, and he has been more than happy to show me the ropes. Our relationship has become pretty solid.

“Lukhanyo is one the very best centres in the world, so I just want to learn as much as possible from him.”

As one of the brightest stars on the international horizon, Julius was just recently also invited by Rassie Erasmus to the first Springbok alignment camp for the year.

“The Bok coaching staff gave us clear guidelines on how the new acquisitions to the squad can become a Springbok,” Julius says. “In other words, how I can improve my efforts and become an improved team player.

“Precision is key.

“I need to become more accurate in all

aspects of my game. I need to grow into a world-class player to earn a spot in a worldclass outfit like the Springboks.”

No doubt, Jurenzo “The Boogieman” Julius will be fizzing to put the above theory into practice for the Hollywoodbets Sharks in today’s all-important URC encounter with Zebre Parma from Italy.

“We’re expecting a fight,” he says. “The Italian teams are always physical.

“They’ve achieved some good results against strong teams in the competition. So, we’re expecting them to come here intent on causing an upset.

“We are fully focused, though, and certainly won’t take them lightly.”

HOLLYWOODBETS SHARKS PLAYER PROFILES

BORN: 31/08/2004 HEIGHT: 1.86 m BORN: 22/06/1996 HEIGHT: 1.74m

110KG WEIGHT: 77KG

HOLLYWOODBETS SHARKS

ZEBRE PARMA

HENRY IMMELMAN

YAW PENXE

JURENZO JULIUS

ETHAN HOOKER

MAKAZOLE MAPIMPI

JORDAN HENDRIKSE

JADEN HENDRIKSE

SIYA KOLISI (C)

VINCENT TSHITUKA

PHEPSI BUTHELEZI

EMILE VAN HEERDEN

JASON JENKINS

VINCENT KOCH

GERONIMO PRISCIANTELLI (C)

SCOTT GREGORY

FETULI PAEA

FILIPPO DRAGO

ALESSANDRO GESI

GIOVANNI MONTEMAURI

ALESSANDRO FUSCO

DAVIDE RUGGERI

LUCA ANDREANI

GIACOMO FERRARI

MATTEO CANALI

FRANCESCO RUFFOLO

JUAN PITINARI

OMMASO DI BARTOLOMEO

JOHN PLUMTREE

MANAGER

TREVOR BARNES HEAD COACH

BONGI MBONAMBI OX NCHE

LUCA RIZZOLI

MBATHA

NTUTHUKO MCHUNU

HANRO JACOBS

CORNE’ RAHL

JAMES VENTER

BRADLEY DAVIDS

FRANCOIS VENTER ANDRE ESTERHUIZEN

GIAMPIETRO RIBALDI

MUHAMED HASA

ION NECULAI

LEONARDO KRUMOV

BAUTISTA STAVILE

JACOPO BIANCHI

THOMAS DOMINGUEZ

ENRICO LUCCHIN HEAD COACH

ASSISTANT REFEREES

CHRISTOPHER ALLISON , HANRO VAN ROOYEN

MIKE ADAMSON

MASSIMO BRUNELLO MANAGER GIANCARLO GARAVALDI

HOLLYWOODBETS SHARKS VS ZEBRE PARMA

ZEBRE PARMA PLAYER PROFILES

BORN: 03/05/2002 HEIGHT: 1.76 m WEIGHT: 100KG

BORN: 31/10/2002 HEIGHT: 1.94m WEIGHT: 113KG

BORN: 19/04/2001 HEIGHT: 1.90m WEIGHT: 103KG

BORN: 04/01/1998 HEIGHT: 1.80m BORN: 18/01/1995 HEIGHT: 1.87 m WEIGHT: 105KG WEIGHT: 118KG

BORN: 07/05/1999 HEIGHT: 1.89m

BORN: 11/09/1998 HEIGHT: 1.98 m WEIGHT: 109KG WEIGHT: 123KG

ZEBRE PARMA PLAYER PROFILES

BORN: 16/08/1994 HEIGHT: 1.90m WEIGHT:102KG

BORN: 26/01/1998 HEIGHT: 1.81m WEIGHT: 112KG

BORN: 28/10/1999 HEIGHT: 1.85m WEIGHT: 888KG

BORN: 07/01/1999 HEIGHT: 1.85 m WEIGHT: 101KG

BORN: 23/08/1999 HEIGHT: 1.85m

WEIGHT: 86KG

BORN: 12/03/1997 HEIGHT: 1.86m

BORN: 10/09/2001 HEIGHT: 1.81m

BORN: 04/09/1995 HEIGHT: 1.83m

WEIGHT: 118KG WEIGHT: 110KG WEIGHT: 110KG

BORN: 22/02/1997 HEIGHT: 1.83m

BORN: 01/05/1996 HEIGHT: 1.98m WEIGHT: 100KG WEIGHT: 120KG

BORN: 05/05/1998 HEIGHT: 1.88m

WEIGHT: 108KG

BORN: 12/04/1996 HEIGHT: 1.80m

BORN: 24/10/2000 HEIGHT: 1.89m WEIGHT: 90KG WEIGHT: 92KG

BORN: 03/01/2003 HEIGHT: 1.77m WEIGHT: 76KG

BORN: 18/12/1999 HEIGHT: 1.75m

BORN: 04/04/1995 HEIGHT: 1.85m

101KG

OMMASO DI BARTOLOMEO JUAN PITINARI

ALESSANDRO FUSCO

LUCA RIZZOLI

FRANCESCO RUFFOLO

LUCA ANDREANI

BAUTISTA STAVILE

LEONARDO KRUMOV

SCOTT GREGORY

FETULI PAEA

GERONIMO PRISCIANTELLI (C)

MUHAMED HASA

GIAMPIETRO RIBALDI

THOMAS DOMINGUEZ ENRICO LUCCHIN

SCRUM-HALF

JACOPO BIANCHI

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MAJOR MATCHUP IMMELMAN VS PRISCIANTELLI

Henry Immelman, on loan from the Bulls, celebrated his debut for the Hollywoodbets Sharks with the SA Shield win against the Lions a fortnight ago, and duly impressed with a couple of deft touches on the attack, his massive boot and general calmness in the last line of defence.

At 29 years of age, the rangy fullback brings valuable experience having spent seven seasons abroad, turning out for Montpellier and Edinburgh.

Educated at the prestigious Grey College in Bloemfontein, the Upington-born Immelman returned to the Republic in 2023 to join forces with the Bulls.

Born in Buenos Aires 25 years ago, Gerónimo Prisciantelli cut his teeth with the Jaguares in the Super Rugby Americas, before heading to Italy, three years ago, where he has been a standout performer for Zebre Parma.

Prisciantelli has been earmarked to gain selection for Argentina and his form in the Vodacom URC substantiates that notion. He produced a Man of the Match performance for Zebre in their shock 22-17 victory over Edinburgh recently and currently tops the URC stats both in terms of metres gained (607) and carries (180), while he has also performed the fifth most offloads (18).

KWAZULU-NATAL RUGBY UNION

A TRIUMPH FOR CHANGE

The KwaZulu-Natal Rugby Union received the inaugural President’s Award for their exceptional achievements in access to the game, development, governance and performance at the recent SA Rugby awards ceremony in Cape Town. According to Hollywoodbets Sharks assistant coach, Joey Mongalo, this has to do with creating an environment where players from all walks of life can feel at home and be the best they can be…

The Hollywoodbets Sharks, who have recently added the SA Shield of the Vodacom United Rugby Championship to last year’s EPCR Challenge Cup and Carling Currie Cup titles, are not only being successful on the playing field, but also doing something right in terms of transformation, or, as Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus prefers to call it, “change”.

Last month, the Hollywoodbets Sharks achieved a stunning 29-19 win against the Bulls at Loftus Versfeld, at times with only 12 players due to yellow cards, and, more pertinently, with no fewer than 12 players of colour in the 15-man starting lineup.

Similar to the Boks, the KwaZulu-Natal outfit is establishing itself as a team for all South Africans. “It never crossed my mind that there were 12 players of colour in the starting XV, to be honest,” says Joey Mongalo, defence guru of the Hollywoodbets Sharks. “That’s how generic it happens.

“It is a matter of an environment in which everyone is deemed competent, so when selection happens, nobody looks at numbers. The composition of our squad is incredibly diverse, and there is no number counting when selecting the team; we simply select the best XV.

“Guys from every walk of life have found a home in this environment. And, everybody can just be the best they can be.

“A typical example of this is the music that is played and the languages spoken.” Mongalo, who previously coached at both the Lions and Bulls, also boasts a master's degree in organisational psychology, and his studies, amongst other things, revealed that rugby players of colour traditionally felt left out in a predominantly Afrikaans environment.

“At the Sharks, everyone is socially allowed to speak the language they want,” he says.

“So, you might find two Zulu-speaking players sorting out a matter on the field, or Eben (Etzebeth) and Bongi (Mbonambi) discussing something in Afrikaans, and they are not frowned upon.

“Music, too. Whoever arrives first in the gym puts on the music, be it Christian, Kwaito or Sokkie, and everyone listens to that.”

Effective and sustainable change in the rugby environment, however, does not happen overnight. It is a journey.

“Take the guys in our system,” explains Mongalo.

“The old guard, like Makazole Mapimpi and Lukhanyo Am, as well as a youngster, like Phepsi Buthelezi, has been involved with the Hollywoodbets Sharks between five and 10 years. It is a process that happens over time.

“It is also a matter of time met with opportunity. Over time, these players need to be given enough opportunities, the two have to come together, and when the players come of age the club is richly rewarded.

“Intentionality is also crucial, both in terms of recruitment and the environment. One has to be intentional about the players you are recruiting and about creating an environment that will give those players the best possible chance to perform.”