A YEAR IN REVIEW

12/19/2024 06:09 AM

2024 has proved to be a momentous and quite remarkable year for the Hollywoodbets Sharks and they have the silverware to prove it.

They made history as the first South African side to contest the final of the EPCR Challenge Cup before being crowned champions in May after defeating Gloucester 36-22 in a pulsating final at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

"We showed the team video messages from their wives and girlfriends the night before the final and that was amazing, but we also showed a video with other South African captains around the country wishing us the best of luck," explained head coach John Plumtree as he spoke about the support the team was getting, both locally and beyond their fanbase.

"For me that was really great. It felt like this was a South African thing, not just a Hollywoodbets Sharks' thing. We put a lot of smiles on peoples' faces, which is great."

A Carling Currie Cup title followed in September after a tight 16-14 victory in the final over the Emirates Lions in Joburg before the start of the Vodacom United Rugby Championship.

The tournament started with a tough tour and bereft of their Springboks who were away on national duty, the Hollywoodbets Sharks did struggle initially.

But once the squad was fully reformed, they showed just how dangerous and talented a side they are.

The return to Hollywoodbets Kings Park for a run of home games across the VURC and the Investec Champions Cup included the past three winners of the VURC, a formidable challenge for the Durban side.

"We've talked about making Hollywoodbets Kings Park a fortress a lot and we have our own theme around it," explained Plumtree.

"We're four games in now and haven't lost at home. Compare that to last year, when we had a different team, it's vastly different.

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