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CLASH OF THE GIANTS 03 OCT | 18H3O

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HOLLYWOODBETS SHARKS VS LEINSTER

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HOLLYWOODBETS SHARKS VS LEINSTER

CONTENTS POA 13H00

PARKING GATES OPEN SHARKS CAGE OPENS KIDS SAFEZONE ACTIVATED

PHEPSI BUTHELEZI INTERVIEW HOLLYWOODBETS SHARKS PLAYER PROFILE

HOLLYWOODBETS SHARKS VS LEINSTER

18H30

LEINSTER PLAYER PROFILE

21H00

MAJOR MATCHUP

FACTS, STATS & TRIVIA

FIXTURE & RESULTS

LOG

SPONSORS

TURNSTILES OPEN

14H30 CURTAIN RAISER: TerraPOD DRSU vs TerraPOD ZRSU

HOLLYWOODBETS SHARKS VS LEINSTER

THE PARLOTONES

HOLLYWOODBETS SHARKS VS LEINSTER

MATCH PREVIEW

14H00

10 14

KICK OFF 18H3O

HENDRIKSE VS GUNNE

VODACOM UNITED RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP

THE SHARKS

HOLLYWOODBETS SHARKS VS LEINSTER

“We talk about Gilly, but Purchie also did everything right, coming in at the last minute,” Pietersen observed. “He’s a smart kid who wants it; it just shows how professional he is.

MATCH PREVIEW

“REALLY AMAZING” YOUNG SHARKS WORDS: ALBERT HEENOP

THE NEXT-GEN HOLLYWOODBETS SHARKS LAST WEEKEND CARRIED ON IN SENSATIONAL FASHION WHERE THEY’D LEFT OFF THE PREVIOUS SEASON, INSPIRING THE DURBAN-BASED CLUB TO AN EMPHATIC AND INDEED HISTORIC OPENING VICTORY OVER OSPREYS TO LAUNCH NOT ONLY THE 2026/27 VURC CAMPAIGN IN STYLE BUT ALSO HIGHLIGHT A BRIGHT BEGINNING. TODAY THE YOUNG MEN IN BLACK AND WHITE ARE PRIMED TO TAKE THE NEW ERA TO THE NEXT LEVEL AGAINST THE DEFENDING CHAMPS, LEINSTER...

Springbok skipper Siya Kolisi, when he signed off for the Hollywoodbets Sharks with a brilliant brace of tries against Zebre four months ago, described the future of the Sharks as “really amazing”.

Fullback Luan Giliomee stole the show with a brilliant brace of tries, earning him the player-of-the-match spoils. The first of his two touchdowns was a supreme solo effort from halfway out.

Apart from offering the iconic captain of South Africa a fitting farewell in the Shark Tank, head coach JP Pietersen allowed a clutch of upcoming stars to showcase their unbridled talent on that occasion. To be sure, the youthful back three of Zekhethelo Siyaya, who was still only 18 at the time, Jaco Williams (21) and Litelihle Bester (23) were full of running from the word go, while Junior Bok flyhalf Vusi Moyo (20) celebrated his VURC debut with a try and nailed five from six shots at goal.

Sadly, the Hollywoodbets Sharks are also bidding farewell to Giliomee, who is taking up a contract with the Bulls. The mercurial 21-yearold has left a magical mark in the Shark Tank, though.

This past Saturday, the youth brigade of the Hollywoodbets Sharks were at it again, sparking a 41-24 victory over Ospreys, with which Pietersen’s side were able to start their VURC campaign on a winning note for the very first time since South African sides entered the northern hemisphere fray five years ago. 10

HOLLYWOODBETS SHARKS VS LEINSTER

Pietersen hailed him as “an exceptional talent”. “He understands the game, he understands space, he’s got speed, and a good kicking game too. I am just grateful to have had time with him.” Another youngster who put up his hand against Ospreys was 20-year-old Janco Purchase, who had to step into the breach as a late replacement for Murray Koster at inside centre. Purchase hit a half gap to put Manu Tshituka through for one of the Hollywoodbets Sharks’ five tries, while he also scooped up the loose ball that led to the bonus-point try by Bester.

“Credit must also go to our junior structures that equip the kid so that he can take the opportunity at URC level. Purchie came close to man of the match too.” Meanwhile, Moyo, who made his test debut for South Africa against Wales at Hollywoodbets Kings Park in July, continued his accomplished form with the boot, succeeding with all six of his goal attempts - including a couple of conversions from touch and two long-distance penalty goals. Hollywoodbets Sharks defence coach, Joey Mongalo, elaborated on the impressive emergence of young talent while addressing the media during the week. “There’s a young generation of guys who have learned their rugby at the Hollywoodbets Sharks, such as Vusi, Lithelile and Jaco (Williams). “So, the good leadership, with JP leading the coaches and young players who have come through the system, and additions of top players, bode well for the Hollywoodbets Sharks as an organisation, and where it’s going,” Mongalo said. “Like all good things, it takes time. I think we will definitely be better this year than we were last year. “However, you will probably only see the real fruits of our labour, of this system, in three to five years; that’s when it should peak.” The Hollywoodbets Sharks are taking another step in their evolution today, hosting the defending champions, Leinster. Despite coming off a narrow 26-27 loss at the hands of the Lions in Johannesburg, the Irishmen will provide a stern test of capability and character. Mongalo is nevertheless confident that the “Young Sharks” will be up for the challenge. “There’s no greater thing in sport than to test yourself against the best. We’re expecting to come up against a fully-fledged Leinster team, which is pretty much like playing against Ireland. “However, the beautiful thing about youth is that they can almost be oblivious or ignorant to what’s coming. They just want to run out there and test themselves against whatever that is.” HOLLYWOODBETS SHARKS VS LEINSTER

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HOLLYWOODBETS SHARKS VS LEINSTER

The 27-year-old Hollywoodbets Sharks stalwart, who attained his 100th cap in international competitions during the previous VURC campaign, has played the majority of his rugby for the Durbanbased club at No 8. However, a shift to openside flanker was mooted two years ago already, with the coaching staff of the opinion that, given Buthelezi’s relentless work rate around the park, he could evolve into a highly efficient No 6 flanker - in the same mould as Springbok captain Siya Kolisi. With the selfsame Kolisi having now departed the Hollywoodbets Sharks, it has left the door open for Buthelezi to make the No 6 jumper his own. The Durban High School old boy has certainly shown supreme intent during the first outing of the 2026/27 VURC campaign, carrying the ball with purpose and playing an overall industrious role in the Hollywoodbets Sharks’ imposing 41-24 win over Ospreys. “As a loose forward, it’s always nice to get involved with the ball and to play a part in some amazing tries,” Buthelezi acknowledges. However, he harbours no illusions about the task at hand against Leinster today. To be sure, for an openside flanker specifically, the Irish outfit provides the litmus test. From the legendary Fergus Slattery, who starred for the British & Irish Lions against the Springboks in 1974, to current Ireland openside operator Josh van der Flier, some of the most dynamic flankers in world rugby have turned out in the colours of Leinster over the past 50 years. PHEPSI BUTHELEZI

FIGHTING FIRE WITH FIRE To play against a near full-strength Leinster outfit is akin to measuring oneself against the pride of Ireland. That is the “test” facing the Hollywoodbets Sharks today, but loose forward and leader Phepsi Buthelezi is absolutely fizzing for the challenge... WORDS: ALBERT HEENOP 14

HOLLYWOODBETS SHARKS VS LEINSTER

“As a player, you obviously want to be up against the best,” Buthelezi says. “We want to play against the best loosies Leinster have to offer, and we know that we have to match fire with fire. “We really feel that we’ve been well prepared, though. We have good coaches around us who provide us with all the information needed to go out there and perform.

HOLLYWOODBETS SHARKS VS LEINSTER

“Moreover, this week is a very important one for us as a group. It is more important because it will show us how far we’ve come as a group.” According to Buthelezi, who, together with Bok prop Vincent Koch, has been appointed Club Captain of the Hollywoodbets Sharks to help drive team culture and standards across the group, the fact that the club did not reach the 2025/26 VURC top eight was actually a blessing in disguise. “Yeah, it was unfortunate not making the playoffs, yet it did give us an opportunity to really refresh as a squad. “When we came in on the first day of pre-season, we knew exactly where we were and where we wanted to go. We worked very hard during our pre-season, and to get off the mark in the way that we did (against Ospreys) was really rewarding for the group. “We had a good look at our performance, and we felt we could have done better in certain moments of the game. Overall, though, it was a really positive start, and everyone is pleased. “We just need to keep on working and build on that.”

HOLLYWOODBETS SHARKS VS LEINSTER

HOLLYWOODBETS SHARKS

PLAYER PROFILES

THOMAS DU TOIT

05/05/1995

110kg

04 110kg

VUSI MOYO

1.94m

06/07/2006

17/01/2003

LILI BESTER

110kg

92kg

HOLLYWOODBETS SHARKS VS LEINSTER

03/04/2003

1.87m

114kg

86kg

23/03/2000

31/10/2004

EBEN ETZEBETH

1.80m

124kg

29/10/1991

122kg

30/03/1994

91kg

12/04/1996

125kg

1.76m

28/07/2005

85kg

132kg

MATT ROMAO

109kg

20/08/2007

1.77m

PROP

23/07/1995

14/03/2000

IVAN VAN ZYL

LOOSE FORWARD

2.02m

17/01/2007

HANRO JACOBS

PROP

1.87m

1.84m

POSITION

1.90m

87kg

30/06/1995

1.79m

ETHAN HOOKER

FLY HALF

1.93m

82kg

OX NCHE

FULL BACK

1.79m

ZEKETHELO SIYAYA

ANDRE ESTERHUIZEN

LUAN GILIOMEE

RIGHT WING

1.78m

LOCK

CENTRE

1.88m

EDWILL VAN DER MERWE

HOOKER

03/05/1999

SCRUM HALF

1.92m

11/05/2004

ETHAN BESTER

JADEN HENDRIKSE

LEFT WING

1.82m

94kg

FLANKER

1.97m

105kg

1.85m

NUMBER EIGHT

FLY HALF

96kg

26/07/1998

OUTSIDE CENTRE

13/03/1990

PHEPSI BUTHELEZI

NICK HATTON (C)

FLANKER

16/06/2000

116kg

LOCK

2.03m

JURENZO JULIUS

TIGHTHEAD PROP

1.83m

MANU TSHITUKA 112kg

02/02/2006

DARRIEN LANDSBERG

LOCK

02/12/1995

VINCENT KOCH

HOOKER

1.89m

JASON JENKINS 131kg

ESETHU MNEBELELE

PROP

136kg

PLAYER PROFILES

CENTRE

1.85m

102kg

20/01/2003

1.95m

HOLLYWOODBETS SHARKS VS LEINSTER

HOLLYWOODBETS SHARKS

HEAD COACH

JP PIETERSEN

MANAGER

TREVOR BARNES

LUAN GILIOMEE

TODD LAWLOR

EDWILL VAN DER MERWE

TOMMY O’BRIEN

JURENZO JULIUS

HUGH COONEY

ANDRE ESTERHUIZEN (CAPTAIN)

ROBBIE HENSHAW

LILI BESTER

ANDREW OSBORNE

VUSI MOYO

CASPAR GABRIEL

JADEN HENDRIKSE

FINTAN GUNNE

NICK HATTON

JOSH ERICSON

MANU TSHITUKA

JOSH VAN DER FLIER

PHEPSI BUTHELEZI

RYAN BAIRD

DARRIEN LANDSBERG

ALAN SPICER

JASON JENKINS

CONOR O’TIGHEARNAIGH

VINCENT KOCH

THOMAS CLARKSON

ESETHU MNEBELELE

RÓNAN KELLEHER

THOMAS DU TOIT

ANDREW PORTER

HEAD COACH

ETHAN BESTER

GUS MCCARTHY

MICK DAWSON

OX NCHE

ALEX USANOV

HANRO JACOBS

NIALL SMYTH

EBEN ETZEBETH

BRIAN DEENY

MATT ROMAO

DIARMUID MANGAN

IVAN VAN ZYL

OLIVER COFFEY

ZEKHETHELO SIYAYA

SAM PRENDERGAST

ETHAN HOOKER

HUGO MCLAUGHLIN

KICK OFF

ASSISTANT REFEREES

REFEREE

TMO

18H30

HOLLYWOODBETS SHARKS VS LEINSTER

LEINSTER

CRAIG EVANS

LEO CULLEN

MANAGER

HANRU VAN ROOYEN, JONATHAN LOTTERING BEN BREAKSPEAR

HOLLYWOODBETS SHARKS VS LEINSTER

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HOLLYWOODBETS SHARKS VS LEINSTER

HOLLYWOODBETS SHARKS VS LEINSTER 23

LEINSTER

PLAYER PROFILES

ANDREW PORTER 16/01/1996

105kg

04 1.98m

07 1.85m

28/10/2003

ANDREW OSBORNE

FLY HALF

18/10/2005

112kg

108kg

92kg

HOLLYWOODBETS SHARKS VS LEINSTER

16/01/1992

26/07/1999

102kg

82kg

26/07/2003

ROBBIE HENSHAW

23/07/2003

BRIAN DEENY

1.78m

112kg

05/02/2000

100kg

12/06/1993

1.83m

ALEX USANOV

84kg

18/02/2005

107kg

115kg

DIARMUID MANGAN 105kg

06/03/2003

12/02/2003

15 1.80m

TIGHTHEAD PROP

1.85m

26/04/2006

OLIVER COFFEY

FLANKER

1.98m

11/02/2005

NIALL SMYTH

LOOSEHEAD PROP

1.85m

1.88m

SCRUM HALF

1.93m

80kg

14/01/2005

1.75m

SAM PRENDERGAST 92kg

TODD LAWLOR FULL BACK

21/05/1998

90kg

HUGO MCLAUGHLIN

FLY HALF

1.91m

RIGHT WING

1.85m

LOCK

INSIDE CENTRE

1.88m

TOMMY O’BRIEN

HOOKER

1.98m

SCRUM HALF

1.91m

22/04/2003

GUS MCCARTHY

FINTAN GUNNE

LEFT WING

1.91m

90kg

FLANKER

2.08m

OUTSIDE CENTRE

1.83m

NUMBER EIGHT

CASPAR GABRIEL 93kg

09/05/2005

22/02/2000

RYAN BAIRD

JOSH ERICSON

FLANKER

25/04/1993

113kg

LOCK

138kg

HUGH COONEY

TIGHTHEAD PROP

1.83m

JOSH VAN DER FLIER 98kg

24/01/1998

ALAN SPICER

LOCK

06/03/2003

THOMAS CLARKSON

HOOKER

1.83m

CONOR O’TIGHEARNAIGH 108kg

RÓNAN KELLEHER (C)

LOOSEHEAD PROP

114kg

PLAYER PROFILES

CENTRE

1.93m

85kg

18/08/2004

1.80m

HOLLYWOODBETS SHARKS VS LEINSTER

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HOLLYWOODBETS SHARKS VS LEINSTER

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HOLLYWOODBETS SHARKS VS LEINSTER

HOLLYWOODBETS SHARKS VS LEINSTER 29

MAJOR MATCHUP

HENDRIKSE VS GUNNE There were stars across the park for the Hollywoodbets Sharks in their 41-24 victory over the Ospreys, with the likes of Luan Giliomee scoring a brace of tries to walk off with the player-of-match spoils and Vusi Moyo nailing six from six off the tee.

FACTS, STATS & TRIVIA

OPENING SALVOS There was no shortage of drama during Round 1 of the latest edition of the VURC, with the Hollywoodbets Sharks celebrating their first home start in the competition with a first-ever opening win! The four SA sides made a clean sweep, while none of the traditional powerhouse Irish outfits, including Leinster, could muster a win...

The chief Coordinator of the Hollywoodbets Sharks’ attack, however, was Jaden Hendrikse. The 26-year-old scrumhalf set the tone with his swift delivery from rucks and mauls and was actively involved in most of the raids into Ospreys’ territory.

The opening round of the 2026/27 VURC saw both South Africa and Scotland complete a clean sweep, and it was the first time since 2009 that all four Irish provinces (Leinster, Munster, Ulster, Connacht) lost during the league phase launch weekend.

Hendrikse’s expertise and the calming influence that he brings will be key factors for the Durban-based club in today’s crunch encounter with the defending champions, Leinster.

DID YOU KNOW

Five teams, namely the Hollywoodbets Sharks, Bulls, Stormers, Glasgow Warriors and Edinburgh, all bagged a full house of championship points during Round 1.

With Ireland and Leinster’s world-class playmaker Jamison Gibson-Park sidelined through a minor groin strain, Fintan Gunne has pretty big boots to fill.

There were, oddly enough, only two home wins from the eight matches played, with the Hollywoodbets Sharks and Lions securing wins at home against the Ospreys and Lein-ster, respectively.

The 23-year-old, however, indicated that those boots were made for gunning for the goal-line. Gunne raced in for a spectacular hat-trick of tries during the opening 40 minutes of Leinster’s clash with the Lions in Johannesburg, which they narrowly lost 26-27.

The Hollywoodbets Sharks were the dominant scrummaging outfit during Round 1, with a 100% win rate and having forced three scrum penalties and two scrum free kicks.

Gunne, who was a member of Ireland U20’s Grand Slamwinning side two years ago and made his debut for Leinster in 2023, is renowned for his passing game but, as he indicated over the weekend, possesses more than enough pace and vision to be a major threat around the fringes, too.

30 HOLLYWOODBETS SHARKS VS LEINSTER

Leinster arrive in the Shark Tank for today’s encounter with the Hollywoodbets Sharks, having triumphed in the last five clashes between these two teams. The Durban-based club won their very first match against Leinster in 2022, seeing off the Irish giants 28-23. Leinster, the most successful side in the history of the VURC with 10 titles, managed to win only one game in their last nine trips to South Africa.

HOLLYWOODBETS SHARKS VS LEINSTER

HOLLYWOODBETS SHARKS VS LEINSTER 33

VODACOM UNITED RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP FIXTURES / RESULTS ROUND 1

26 SEP ROUND 2

03 OCT ROUND 3

10 OCT ROUND 4

23 OCT ROUND 5

31 OCT ROUND 6

05 DEC ROUND 7

19 DEC ROUND 8

20 FEB ROUND 9

02 JAN ROUND 10

22 JAN

ROUND 11

30 JAN

ROUND 12

27 FEB

ROUND 13

19 MAR ROUND 14

27 MAR ROUND 15

16 APR

ROUND 16

24 APR

ROUND 17

08 MAY ROUND 18

15 MAY

VODACOM UNITED RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP CURRENT LOG SOUTH AFRICAN CONFERENCES

HOLLYWOODBETS SHARKS VS OSPREYS | 41 - 24

HOME HOLLYWOODBETS KINGS PARK

HOLLYWOODBETS SHARKS VS LEINSTER RUGBY

TEAM

PTS

HOME HOLLYWOODBETS KINGS PARK

HOLLYWOODBETS SHARKS

DHL STORMERS VS HOLLYWOODBETS SHARKS

AWAY DHL STADIUM

10BET LIONS

CARDIFF RUGBY VS HOLLYWOODBETS SHARKS

AWAY CARDIFF ARMS PARK

DHL STORMERS

MUNSTER RUGBY VS HOLLYWOODBETS SHARKS

AWAY THOMOND PARK

VODACOM BULLS

HOLLYWOODBETS SHARKS VS DHL STORMERS

HOME HOLLYWOODBETS KINGS PARK

HOLLYWOODBETS SHARKS VS VODACOM BULLS

HOME HOLLYWOODBETS KINGS PARK

10BET LIONS VS HOLLYWOODBETS SHARKS

AWAY 10BET ELLIS PARK

HOLLYWOODBETS SHARKS VS 10BET LIONS

ALL CONFERENCES TEAM

PTS

HOME HOLLYWOODBETS KINGS PARK

VODACOM BULLS

ULSTER VS HOLLYWOODBETS SHARKS

AWAY AFFIDEA STADIUM

HOLLYWOODBETS SHARKS

BENETTON VS HOLLYWOODBETS SHARKS

AWAY STADIO MONIGO

DHL STORMERS

VODACOM BULLS VS HOLLYWOODBETS SHARKS

AWAY LOFTUS VERSFELD

GLASGOW WARRIORS

HOLLYWOODBETS SHARKS VS EDINBURGH

HOME HOLLYWOODBETS KINGS PARK

EDINBURGH

HOLLYWOODBETS SHARKS VS DRAGONS

HOME HOLLYWOODBETS KINGS PARK

CARDIFF RUGBY

ZEBRE PARMA VS HOLLYWOODBETS SHARKS

AWAY STADIO SERGIO LANFRANCHI

10BET LIONS

SCARLETS VS HOLLYWOODBETS SHARKS

AWAY PARC Y SCARLETS

BENETTON

HOLLYWOODBETS SHARKS VS CONNACHT

HOME HOLLYWOODBETS KINGS PARK

DRAGONS RFC

HOLLYWOODBETS SHARKS VS GLASGOW WARRIORS

HOME HOLLYWOODBETS KINGS PARK

LEINSTER

-1

ULSTER

-5

MUNSTER

-6

SCARLETS

-6

OSPREYS

-17

CONNACHT

-14

ZEBRE PARMA

-34

HOLLYWOODBETS SHARKS VS LEINSTER

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THE OFFICIAL URC APP Match Centre | Personalised Content Video Highlights | Stats | Live Updates

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40 HOLLYWOODBETS SHARKS VS LEINSTER

HOLLYWOODBETS SHARKS VS LEINSTER

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HOLLYWOODBETS SHARKS VS LEINSTER