Preview: Hollywoodbets Sharks vs Zebre Parma
03/22/2025 07:23 AM
The Hollywoodbets Sharks host the touring Italian team Zebre Parma at Hollywoodbets Kings Park today in another must-win home game in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship.
Zebre come to Durban off the back of a good run in recent past, winning their last three matches, although they remain in a tough position, second last on the log with only two more victories in this campaign.
For the Hollywoodbets Sharks, winning at home is a non-negotiable and with a powerful line-up named for this match, adding to their own good form and unbeaten status at Hollywoodbets Kings Park, the Durban side will be gunning for a vital win later today.
"We've had a good week, the boys have trained really well and they've come back in nice and fresh," explains head coach John Plumtree.
"We've had to structure our week really carefully because when they come back that fresh, they're sort of like racehorses who want to jump out the stalls!
"They're really positive and happy."
Remarking on keeping their home ground a fortress, he admits that, "Winning at home is really important, it's been one of our big goals this season and a large part of our motivation to do well in front of our home fans."
Given the team selection, it is clear that the Hollywoodbets Sharks are not underestimating the side on a three-match winning streak, but currently 15th on the log.
"They've beaten quality opposition this season and lost a couple of tight games, also against quality opposition, so we have a lot of respect for this team," Plumtree explains.
"I think Italian rugby is on the way up, they could have beaten Ireland (in the Six Nations), so their rugby is going really well.
"Zebre beat us last time out which we haven't forgotten about either. So we have a lot of respect for this team, the boys have prepared accordingly so it's all about transferring what we've done in training into the game."
While much is said of the big-name players in the squad, many of the relative newcomers – at least over the last season or two – are making their mark, one of them is Jurenzo Julius.
"He's a good young player, we've watched Jurenzo play for a long time now and we knew what his capabilities are. He's still young and learning the game, it's been a massive learning for him around how we want to play the game and how he needs to shift what comes naturally for him around his instincts, to working for the team.
"He's done really well, he's taken his opportunities while Lukhanyo Am has been out and he's grown a lot."
With Makazole Mapimpi back, Ethan Hooker will shift from wing into the midfield to partner Julius, which has the potential to be a partnership that flourishes for years to come.
"Ethan is similar to Andre Esterhuizen, he's a powerful player, he's fast and has played a bit on the wing, enjoying every opportunity he's been given.
"He's in his preferred position and we're looking forward to seeing how that combination goes. It's another opportunity to see what the future looks like in the 12 and 13 jerseys for a number of years. "It's going to be great to watch."
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