HOLLYWOODBETS SHARKS VS EMIRATES LIONS

OFFICIAL MATCH DAY PROGRAMME

FIGHT IS ON

HOLLYWOODBETS SHARKS VS EMIRATES LIONS KICK-OFF 17H00

06/01 #SHAvLIO

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HOLLYWOODBETS SHARKS VS EMIRATES LIONS

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HOLLYWOODBETS SHARKS VS EMIRATES LIONS

HOLLYWOODBETS SHARKS VS EMIRATES LIONS

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OFFICIAL TECHNICAL SPONSOR OF THE SHARKS www.umbro.co.za

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HOLLYWOODBETS SHARKS VS EMIRATES LIONS

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CONTENTS

POA 14H30 PARKING GATES OPEN 15H00 TURNSTILES OPEN 17H00 HOLLYWOODBETS SHARKS VS EMIRATES LIONS

CHANGING THE GAME

10 14 16 20 26 27 30 31 34

MATCH PREVIEW

HOLLYWOODBETS SHARKS PLAYER PROFILES

HOLLYWOODBETS SHARKS VS EMIRATES LIONS KICK OFF 17H00

EMIRATES LIONS PLAYER PROFILES

MAJOR MATCHUP MBATHA VS BOTHA

FACTS, STATS & TRIVIA

FIXTURES & RESULTS

VODACOM UNITED RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP

LOG

VODACOM UNITED RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP

SPONSORS THE SHARKS

is a team effort.

SIYA KOLISI - RUGBY

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HOLLYWOODBETS SHARKS VS EMIRATES LIONS

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HOLLYWOODBETS SHARKS VS EMIRATES LIONS OAKLEY.COM

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It is a painstaking process, though, which takes time and requires plenty of patience.

The Hollywoodbets Sharks are today back at home for only the second time in eight outings during the current URC campaign, which is a startling statistic and just another indication of how demanding their challenge has been thus far.

MATCH PREVIEW

PRIDE & PROGRESSION… WORDS: ALBERT HEENOP

Results don’t always reflect progress, and that was again the case in the Cape last weekend. However, the fiery resolve the Hollywoodbets Sharks did display in their thrilling one-point loss to the Stormers provides a great source of pride going forward…

The Stormers, United Rugby Championship winners in 2022 and runners-up last year, admitted to have been stunned by the ferocious physical onslaught of the Hollywoodbets Sharks last Saturday in Cape Town, and were, indeed, relieved to have emerged with a heart-stopping 16-15 win.

As a matter of fact, had it not been for a dubious penalty at scrum time, in the dying seconds of the contest, it could easily have been the Durban-based outfit that returned home with the win.

It is never easy to take on the Stormers in their Cape cauldron, yet John Dobson’s charges certainly know that they had a titanic tussle on their hands. To be sure, the Stormers were made to look rather ordinary at stages of the battle, which speaks volumes about the champion spirit of the Hollywoodbets Sharks and is more than enough reason for John Plumtree to be immensely proud of his boys.

10 HOLLYWOODBETS SHARKS VS EMIRATES LIONS

To be sure, this is still a pretty young and inexperienced Hollywoodbets Sharks outfit, especially up front. In addition, they had to do without Springbok bruiser Eben Etzebeth, when the Rugby World Cup winner had to withdraw at the 11th hour due to a stomach issue.

This meant that Emile van Heerden (23) and Corné Rahl (21) had to man the second row, although they were ably assisted off the bench by the highly experienced workhorse, Gerbrandt Grobler.

The growth and development of young stars like Van Heerden and Rahl underline the importance of Plumtree’s mission to establish a powerful core of players, which will in time reduce the reliance on Springbok players, who are often unavailable for lengthy periods due to international commitments and national requirements.

The boys love playing for the faithful in The Shark Tank, and are absolutely fizzing to generate crucial championship points against the Lions tonight.

The visitors from Johannesburg come off back-to-back wins last month, against the Dragons and Zebre respectively, and are positioned in 12th spot on the URC table at present.

They can expect a heated welcome from the Hollywoodbet Sharks, though, and not merely because of the customary heat and humidity in Durban during this time of the year.

IT IS NEVER EASY TO TAKE ON THE STORMERS IN THEIR CAPE CAULDRON..

Homeground advantage is something that Plumtree’s crew want to cash in on big time over the next 10 rounds of URC warfare, which comprise no fewer than seven home fixtures - including tonight’s all-important clash with the Lions.

A favourable result today will set the Hollywoodbets Sharks up perfectly for the return encounter with the Stormers, here at Hollywoodbets Kings Park, on the 17th of next month…

HOLLYWOODBETS SHARKS VS EMIRATES LIONS

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sharksfest

to we see you! hollywoodbets sharks vs DHL STORMERS SAT, 17 FEB 2024 | 17H05 | HOLLYWOODBETS KINGS PARK @TheSharks 12 HOLLYWOODBETS SHARKS VS EMIRATES LIONS

W W W. S H A R K S R U G B Y. C O . Z A

HOLLYWOODBETS SHARKS VS EMIRATES LIONS

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HOLLYWOODBETS SHARKS PLAYER PROFILES HOLLYWOODBETS SHARKS PLAYER PROFILES

OX NCHE

FEZOKUHLE MBATHA

HANRO JACOBS

PROP

HOOKER

PROP

BORN: 23/07/1995 HEIGHT: 1.76 m

WEIGHT: 117KG

BORN: 02/08/1999 HEIGHT: 1.82 m

WEIGHT: 104KG

EBEN ETZEBETH

GERBRANDT GROBLER

LOCK

LOCK

BORN: 29/10/1991 HEIGHT: 2.03 m

WEIGHT: 117KG

BORN: 06/02/1992 HEIGHT: 2.01 m

WEIGHT: 119KG

BORN: 14/03/2000 HEIGHT: 1.82 m

WEIGHT: 122KG

JAMES VENTER FLANK

BORN: 21/08/1996 HEIGHT: 1.79 m

WEIGHT: 92KG

CENTRE

BORN: 28/11/1993 HEIGHT: 1.86 m

FULLBACK

WING

WEIGHT: 93KG

BORN: 17/01/1993 HEIGHT: 1.79 m

KERRON VAN VUUREN WEIGHT: 105KG

WEIGHT: 94KG

BORN: 05/04/1999 HEIGHT: 1.88m

WEIGHT: 114KG

PHEPSI BUTHELEZI

GRANT WILLIAMS

CORNE RAHL

GEORGE CRONJE

FLANK

EIGHTH MAN

SCRUM-HALF

LOCK

LOOSE FORWARD

BORN: 17/07/1999 WEIGHT: 104KG HEIGHT: 1.92m

BORN: 30/05/1999 WEIGHT: 102KG HEIGHT: 1.88m

CURWIN BOSCH

MAKAZOLE MAPIMPI

FRANCOIS VENTER

WING

CENTRE

F LY H A L F

BORN: 25/06/1997 WEIGHT: 85KG BORN: 26/07/1990 14 HOLLYWOODBETS SHARKS VS EMIRATES LIONS HEIGHT: 1.81 m HEIGHT: 1.84m

WEIGHT: 91KG

BORN:19/04/1991 HEIGHT: 1.85 m

WEIGHT: 77KG

WEIGHT: 93KG

BORN: 27/05/2002 WEIGHT: 103KG HEIGHT: 2.03 m

BORN: 28/06/2001 WEIGHT: 102KG HEIGHT: 1.92m

BOETA CHAMBERLAIN

WEIGHT: 87KG

JOEL HINTZ

PROP PROP

LAPPIES LABUSCHAGNE

BORN: 22/07/1996 HEIGHT: 1.74m

BORN: 23/01/1998 HEIGHT: 1.89 m

NTUTHUKO MCHUNU

HOOKER

BORN: 23/05/1995 HEIGHT: 1.87 m

APHELELE FASSI

WERNER KOK

LUKHANYO AM

PROP

BORN: 11/07/1996 HEIGHT: 1.78m

WEIGHT: 106KG

JADEN HENDRIKSE SCRUM-HALF

BORN: 23/03/2000 WEIGHT: 87KG HEIGHT: 1.79m

ROHAN JANSE VAN RENSBURG CENTRE CENTR

BORN: 22/02/1999 WEIGHT: 86KG HEIGHT: 1.81 m

BORN: 11/09/1994 WEIGHT:SHARKS 109KG VS EMIRATES LIONS HOLLYWOODBETS HEIGHT: 1.85 m

15

EMIRATES LIONS

HOLLYWOODBETS SHARKS

HEAD COACH

JOHN PLUMTREE

MANAGER

TREVOR BARNES

16 HOLLYWOODBETS SHARKS VS EMIRATES LIONS

APHELELE FASSI

15

QUAN HORN

WERNER KOK

14

RICHARD KRIEL

LUKHANYO AM (C)

13

HENCO VAN WYK

FRANCOIS VENTER

12

MARIUS LOUW (C)

MAKAZOLE MAPIMPI

11

EDWILL VD MERWE

CURWIN BOSCH

10

SANELE NOHAMBA

GRANT WILLIAMS

09

MORNE VD BERG

PHEPSI BUTHELEZI

08

FRANCKE HORN

LAPPIES LABUSCHAGNE

07

RUAN VENTER

JAMES VENTER

06

EMMANUEL TSHITUKA

GERBRANDT GROBLER

05

DARRIEN LANDSBERG

EBEN ETZEBETH

04

RUBEN SCHOEMAN

HANRO JACOBS

03

ASENATHI NTLABAKANYE

FEZ MBATHA

02

PJ BOTHA

OX NCHE

01

JP SMITH

KERRON VAN VUUREN

16

JACO VISAGIE

NTUTHUKO MCHUNU

17

MORGAN NAUDE

JOEL HINTZ

18

RUAN SMITH

CORNE’ RAHL

19

REINHARD NOTHNAGEL

GEORGE CRONJE

20

HANRU SIRGEL

JADEN HENDRIKSE

21

JC PRETORIUS

BOETA CHAMBERLAIN

22

JORDAN HENDRIKSE

ROHAN JANSE VAN RENSBURG

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RYNHARDT JONKER

KICK OFF 17H00 REFEREE MORNE FERREIRA

ASSISTANT REFEREES CWENGILE JADEZWENI & STEPHEN GELDENHUYS TMO QUINTON IMMELMANN

HEAD COACH

IVAN VAN ROOYEN

MANAGER

MUSTAPHA BOOMGAARD

HOLLYWOODBETS SHARKS VS EMIRATES LIONS

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THE ULTIMATE TEAM

SECURITY, FACILITIES & CLEANING Visit www.ssgsa.co.za 18 HOLLYWOODBETS SHARKS VS EMIRATES LIONS

HOLLYWOODBETS SHARKS VS EMIRATES LIONS

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EMIRATES LIONS PLAYER PROFILES

JP SMITH

PJ BOTHA

PROP

HOOKER

BORN: 24/01/1990 HEIGHT: 1.88 m

WEIGHT: 124KG

RUBEN SCHOEMAN LOCK

BORN: 14/03/1996 WEIGHT: 123KG HEIGHT: 1.98 m

RUAN VENTER EIGHTH MAN

BORN: 29/11/2002 WEIGHT: 108KG HEIGHT: 1.88m

BORN: 20/01/1998 WEIGHT: 100KG HEIGHT: 1.82 m

DARRIEN LANDSBERG LOCK

BORN: 16/06/2000 WEIGHT: 93KG HEIGHT: 1.96 m

WING

BORN: 07/05/2001 HEIGHT: 1.81 m

WEIGHT: 92KG

BORN: 07/07/2000 HEIGHT: 1.94 m

JACO VISAGIE

FULL BACK

WEIGHT: 97KG

BORN: 27/06/2001 WEIGHT: 84KG HEIGHT: 1.81m

MORGAN NAUDE

HOOKER

BORN: 04/09/1996 HEIGHT: 1.88m

QUAN HORN

RUAN SMITH PROP

PROP

WEIGHT: 105KG

BORN: 11/08/1998 HEIGHT: 1.79m

WEIGHT: 108KG

BORN: 24/01/1990 HEIGHT: 1.88m

WEIGHT: 123KG

MORNE VAN DEN BERG

REINHARD NOTHNAGEL

HANRU SIRGEL

JC PRETORIOUS

SCRUMHALF

LOCK

LOOSE FORWARD

SCRUM-HALF

BORN: 24/05/1999 HEIGHT: 1.90 m

WEIGHT: 103KG

EDWILL VAN DER MERWE WING

HEIGHT: 1.64m

EMMANUEL TSHITUKA

RICHARD KRIEL

CENTRE

FLANK

F LY H A L F

WEIGHT: 69KG

BORN: 15/04/1999 WEIGHT: 158KG HEIGHT: 1.83 m

HENCO VAN WYK

FRANCKE HORN

SANELE NOHAMBA 20 BORN: 19/01/1999

PROP

FLANK

WEIGHT: 111KG

BORN: 26/07/1998 HEIGHT: 1.99 m

ASENATHI NTLABAKANYE

EMIRATES LIONS PLAYER PROFILES

BORN: 12/04/1996 WEIGHT: 90KG HEIGHT: 1.80m

BORN: 02/09/1993 WEIGHT: 75KG HEIGHT: 1.75m

MARIUS LOUW CENTRE

BORN: 24/10/1995 HEIGHT: 1.82 m

WEIGHT: 95KG

BORN: 25/09/1997 HEIGHT: 2.02m

WEIGHT: 115KG

BORN: 08/05/1998 HEIGHT: 1.90m

JORDAN HENDRIKSE F LY H A L F

BORN: 28/06/2001 WEIGHT: 72KG HEIGHT: 1.86m

WEIGHT: 103KG

BORN: 29/01/1998 HEIGHT: 1.80m

RYNARDT JONKER FLANK

BORN: 18/04/2000 WEIGHT: 90KG HEIGHT: 1.78m

WEIGHT: 92KG

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HOLLYWOODBETS SHARKS VS EMIRATES LIONS

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FACTS, STATS & TRIVIA

MAJOR MATCHUP

MBATHA VS BOTHA With Springbok hooker, Bongi Mbonambi, being sidelined through a knee injury sustained during the recent Rugby World Cup final against New Zealand, the hooker responsibilities at the Hollywoodbets Sharks have fallen on Fez Mbatha and co.

A brace of tries during a Currie Cup encounter last year, against the Griffons, highlighted the enormous potential of 24-year-old Mbatha, and prompted Currie Cup coach Joey Mongalo to predict that the hooker could also be a Bok by the time the next RWC takes place.

SHARK-LADEN BOKS ON TOP OF THE WORLD South Africa has entrenched itself at the top of the World Rugby Men’s Rankings, as published at the end of 2023, and the Bok resurgence, which also yielded a record fourth RWC title, was in no small part due to the massive contribution of more than a half a dozen Hollywoodbets Sharks… *

With all 48 matches counting towards the World Rugby Men’s Rankings and carrying double points, Rugby World Cup 2023 was always going to have a profound effect on the rankings, and so it did.

*

A proud product of the famous Monument High School in Krugersdorp, PJ Botha has been a regular in the Lions No 2 jumper since his senior professional debut five years ago.

The Springboks were placed fourth on the rankings at the outset of the 2023 season, but displaced Ireland at the top of the pile having successfully defended the Webb Ellis Cup with their sensational 12-11 win against the All Blacks in the final in France on October 28.

*

Botha (25) is a set-piece specialist, whose accuracy at lineout time and technical expertise in the scrum are vital to the efficiency of the Lions vanguard.

That said, the lively hooker is no slouch either when it comes to mixing it in the loose and tight loose.

The Hollywoodbets Sharks had no fewer than eight representatives in South Africa’s RWC squad. They were Siya Kolisi (captain), Makazole Mapimpi, Lukhanyo Am, Grant Williams, Jaden Hendrikse, Eben Etzebeth, Bongi Mbonambi and Ox Nche.

*

South Africa gained 5.57 points over the 12-month period to increase their rating to 94.54 points, a fraction more than the total they had at the end of the previous RWC cycle four years ago.

*

Having reigned supreme for more than a year, Ireland was dislodged from the top of the rankings by the Boks as they failed to convert their Six Nations 2023 Grand Slam into RWC success, too.

*

Ireland’s inability to make it beyond the quarter-finals of the recent global showpiece, saw them drop down a place to finish the year in second spot.

South Africa’s first-choice hooker at the 2019 World Rugby U20 Championship, Mbatha returns to the Hollywoodbets Sharks’ starting lineup for today’s vital encounter.

No wonder that Botha achieved the 50-cap milestone for the Johannesburgbased franchise late last year already.

26 HOLLYWOODBETS SHARKS VS EMIRATES LIONS

HOLLYWOODBETS SHARKS VS EMIRATES LIONS

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WELCOME TO

THE SHARKS ACADEMY

THE SHARKS ACADEMY IS A WORLD-CLASS SOCCER AND RUGBY ACADEMY WHICH IS BACKED BY STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP WITH THE SHARKS.

@THESHARKSACADEMY @SHARKSACADEMY @SHARKS_ACADEMY 28 HOLLYWOODBETS SHARKS VS EMIRATES LIONS

HOLLYWOODBETS SHARKS VS EMIRATES LIONS

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VODACOM UNITED RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP FIXTURES / RESULTS

VODACOM UNITED RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP CURRENT LOG SOUTH AFRICAN CONFERENCES

R0UND 1

SAT, 21 OCT

MUNSTER VS HOLLYWOODBETS SHARKS | 34-21

AWAY THOMOND PARK

LEINSTER VS HOLLYWOODBETS SHARKS | 34-14

AWAY RDS ARENA

OSPREYS VS HOLLYWOODBETS SHARKS | 19-5

AWAY TWICKENHAM STOOP

ZEBRE VS HOLLYWOODBETS SHARKS | 12-10

AWAY STADIO LANFRANCHI

HOLLYWOODBETS SHARKS VS CONNACHT RUGBY | 12-13

HOME HOLLYWOODBETS KINGS PARK, DURBAN

HOLLYWOODBETS SHARKS VS DRAGONS | 69-14

HOME HOLLYWOODBETS KINGS PARK, DURBAN

VODACOM BULLS VS HOLLYWOODBETS SHARKS | 44-10

AWAY LOFTUS VERSFELD STADIUM

HOLLYWOODBETS SHARKS VS EMIRATES LIONS

HOME HOLLYWOODBETS KINGS PARK, DURBAN

DHL STORMERS VS HOLLYWOODBETS SHARKS | 16-15

AWAY DHL STADIUM

HOLLYWOODBETS SHARKS VS DHL STORMERS

HOME HOLLYWOODBETS KINGS PARK, DURBAN

EMIRATES LIONS VS HOLLYWOODBETS SHARKS

AWAY EMIRATES AIRLINE PARK

HOLLYWOODBETS SHARKS VS ULSTER

HOME HOLLYWOODBETS KINGS PARK, DURBAN

HOLLYWOODBETS SHARKS VS EDINBURGH

HOME HOLLYWOODBETS KINGS PARK, DURBAN

GLASGOW WARRIORS VS HOLLYWOODBETS SHARKS

R0UND 2

SAT, 28 OCT R0UND 3

FRI, 3 NOV R0UND 4

FRI, 10 NOV R0UND 5

SAT, 18 NOV R0UND 6

SAT, 25 NOV

TEAM

P

W

D

L

PD

PTS

VODACOM BULLS

8

5

0

3

112

26

DHL STORMERS

9

5

0

4

50

26

EMIRATES LIONS

7

3

0

4

53

19

HOLLYWOODBETS SHARKS

8

1

0

7

-31

8

R0UND 7

SAT, 2 DEC R0UND 8

SAT, 6 JAN

TEAM

P

W

D

L

PD

PTS

LEINSTER RUGBY

9

7

0

2

96

34

BENETTON RUGBY

9

7

1

1

31

32

GLASGOW WARRIORS

9

6

0

3

52

31

ULSTER RUGBY

9

6

0

3

9

28

EDINBURGH RUGBY

9

6

0

3

2

26

AWAY SCOTSTOUN STADIUM

VODACOM BULLS

8

5

0

3

112

26

SCARLETS VS HOLLYWOODBETS SHARK

AWAY PARC Y SCARLETS

DHL STORMERS

9

5

0

4

50

26

HOLLYWOODBETS SHARKS VS BENETTON RUGBY

HOME HOLLYWOODBETS KINGS PARK, DURBAN

OSPREYS

9

5

0

4

23

25

HOLLYWOODBETS SHARKS VS CARDIFF RUGBY

HOME HOLLYWOODBETS KINGS PARK, DURBAN

CONNACHT RUGBY

9

5

0

4

0

24

HOLLYWOODBETS SHARKS VS VODACOM BULLS

HOME HOLLYWOODBETS KINGS PARK, DURBAN

MUNSTER RUGBY

9

4

1

4

31

24

CARDIFF RUGBY

9

3

1

5

23

21

EMIRATES LIONS

7

3

0

4

53

19

SCARLETS

9

2

0

7

-162

12

ZEBRE PARMA

9

1

1

7

-125

12

DRAGONS RFC

9

2

0

7

-164

10

HOLLYWOODBETS SHARKS 8

1

0

R0UND 9

SAT, 30 DEC R0UND 10

SAT, 17 FEB R0UND 11

SAT, 2 MAR R0UND 12

SAT, 23 MAR R0UND 13

SAT, 30 MAR R0UND 14

FRI, 19 APR R0UND 15

FRI, 26 APR

ALL CONFERENCES

R0UND 16

SAT, 11 MAY R0UND 17

SAT, 18 MAY R0UND 18

SAT, 1 JUN

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8 -31SHARKS VS EMIRATES 7 HOLLYWOODBETS LIONS

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HOLLYWOODBETS SHARKS VS EMIRATES LIONS

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HOLLYWOODBETS SHARKS VS EMIRATES LIONS

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36 HOLLYWOODBETS SHARKS VS EMIRATES LIONS