Match Preview: Hollywoodbets Sharks v Dragons RFC

Having lost their opening five BKT URC matches, the Hollywoodbets Sharks were in need of a boost and it’s been provided by the return of their World Cup-winning Springboks.

Second row Eben Etzebeth, wing Makazole Mapimpi and scrum-half Jaden Hendrikse start against the Dragons, while Ox Nche and Grant Williams are in waiting on the bench. While the Durban outfit are bottom of the table, in full-back Aphelele Fassi they have a player who is flying high in the individual charts.

The man from the Eastern Cape is way out in front when it comes to metres made and has been directly involved in 10 line breaks, making six himself and assisting a further four, the most by any player.

So a warning there to the Dragons, who show four changes from the side that beat the Ospreys, including a start for Wales squad scrum-half Dane Blacker. Their coach Dai Flanagan said: “We’ve got to play with ambition. We know we’ve got to score tries out in South Africa to win games.”

Hollywoodbets Sharks v Dragons RFC

Hollywoodbets Kings Park, Durban – KO 17.05 IRE & UK / 18.05 ITA / 19.05 SA

Referee: Frank Murphy (IRFU, 80th league game)

AR 1: Christopher Allison (SARU) AR 2: Stephan Geldenhuys (SARU)

TMO: Eoghan Cross (IRFU)

Live on: SuperSport, S4C, Viaplay, Premier Sports, Flo Rugby & URC.tv

Hollywoodbets Sharks: Aphelele Fassi, Werner Kok, Lukhanyo Am (CAPT), Francois Venter, Makazole Mapimpi, Curwin Bosch, Jaden Hendrikse, Ntuthuko Mchunu, Fez Mbatha, Coenie Oosthuizen, Eben Etzebeth, Emile van Heerden, James Venter, Phepsi Buthelezi, Sikhumbuzo Notshe

Replacements: Daniel Jooste, Ox Nche, Hanro Jacobs, Corne Rahl, Jeandre Labuschagne, Grant Williams, Boeta Chamberlain, Rohan Janse van Rensburg

Dragons RFC: Cai Evans, Rio Dyer, Sio Tomkinson, Aneurin Owen, Ewan Rosser, Will Reed, Dane Blacker; Aki Seiuli, Bradley Roberts, Chris Coleman, Matthew Screech, George Nott, Sean Lonsdale, Ollie Griffiths (CAPT), Aaron Wainwright

Replacements: James Benjamin, Rhodri Jones, Lloyd Fairbrother, Joe Davies, Harri Keddie, Rhodri Williams, Steff Hughes, Ashton Hewitt