Ethan Hooker brings up 50 for the Hollywoodbets Sharks and Nick Hatton leads the side as the European tour ends against Munster at Thomond Park on Saturday.
The Hollywoodbets Sharks will close out a tough but rewarding three-week European tour of France, Wales and Ireland when they take on Munster in Limerick in a fifth-round Vodacom United Rugby Championship clash on Saturday.
Hollywoodbets Sharks and Springbok back Ethan Hooker, who will earn his 50th cap for the Hollywoodbets Sharks, believes that his side is tracking along really well, with the coaches all delivering a game plan and identity that the squad has really bought into.
“The team is in a really good place and we’re playing some really good rugby, there’s a plan in place and everyone is just buying into it,” he admitted from the team’s base in Limerick.
“Things are starting to align and it’s really working for us.”
Hooker might only be 23 years of age, but after gaining 13 caps for the Springboks, he’s become a household name in SA rugby and now finds himself almost a senior mentor to some of the youngsters in the backline, some of them only recently out of school.
“I love playing in this backline, the guys are still young and they just have so much energy, all they want is the ball and to do magic with it. Playing in this backline elevates me to be hungry for the ball myself.
“Some of the things they can do is almost miraculous but they manage to pull it off. Sometimes they make mistakes but they’re so naturally talented that you can learn a thing or two off their basic instincts.”
Casting his eye towards Munster, he warned that it won’t be easy when the teams meet at Thomond Park.
“It’s evident from the way they play that they love ball in hand, taking the ball through multiple phases and trying to stretch you and we know they’re a quality team.
“There’s no underestimating them, playing at home with their crowd behind them, the passion of the Irish fans and for us, this is one of our biggest games.
“Our focus is on being good on tour and picking up as many points as possible. We hold Munster in high regard, we have a lot of respect for them, but we have our systems and game plan in place and we’re going to give it everything.”
Hollywoodbets Sharks
- Ox Nche
- Ethan Bester
- Hanro Jacobs
- Jason Jenkins
- Emile van Heerden
- Matt Romao
- Manu Tshituka
- Nick Hatton (C)
- Jaden Hendrikse
- Gianni Lombard
- Jaco Williams
- Ethan Hooker (50th appearance for the Hollywoodbets Sharks in an international competition)
- Suleiman Hartzenberg
- Edwill van der Merwe
- Zekhethelo Siyaya
Replacements
- Esethu Mnebelele
- Cameron Dawson
- Thomas du Toit
- Stephan Lewies
- Vincent Tshituka
- Ivan van Zyl
- Siya Masuku
- Litelihle Bester
The following Hollywoodbets Sharks players are not available for selection due to injury:
Andre Esterhuizen, Eben Etzebeth, Fez Mbatha, Hendre Stassen, Jannes Potgieter, Jurenzo Julius, Jordan Hendrikse, Makazole Mapimpi, Phatu Ganyane, Phepsi Buthelezi, Simphiwe Matanzima, Trevor Nyakane, Vusi Moyo, Yaw Penxe
