With just two games of the URC season remaining, the Hollywoodbets Sharks will be aiming to pick up maximum points in front of their home support when they tackle Benetton on Saturday.
To Win
Hollywoodbets Sharks | Draw | Benetton
Handicap
Hollywoodbets Sharks | Benetton
Match context
While the Durbanites will continue their wait for a first URC crown after a disappointing campaign in 2025-26, they have the chance over the coming fortnight to end their season on a high with both Italian clubs visiting Hollywoodbets Kings Park.
JP Pietersen’s troops are 10th on the overall standings, having racked up 36-log points after their most recent two-game tour of Wales and Scotland. With 13th-placed Benetton just three-points behind them, defeat on the east coast would see them drop even further — a nigh on unthinkable outcome for a side with such lofty ambitions.
Siya Kolisi spoke midweek of the side’s intention to finish strongly and set themselves up positively for next season, a promising sign considering there could be a lack of true motivation within the Sharks’ setup this week.
Given how their season has unfolded, with coaching changes, inconsistent performances and one of the longest injury lists you’re ever likely to see, it wouldn’t be too surprising to see the intensity drop off. However, that doesn’t appear to be the case with this group of players, who seem intent on giving their fans a proper spectacle over the coming fortnight.
They would certainly do well not to underestimate a Benetton side that produced a sublime showing to beat defending champions and European Rugby Champions Cup finalists Leinster 29-26 at the Stadio Comunale Monigo at the end of last month.
Leo Cullen’s side were at full strength for that clash, making the achievement by the Italian outfit even more impressive, and with many members of Calum MacRae’s squad — Tommaso Menoncello and Malakai Fekitoa among them — set to depart soon, they’ll be gunning for big end-of-season performances themselves on their tour of the Republic.
Players to watch
Phatu Ganyane (Hollywoodbets Sharks)
After the exit of Ntuthuko Mchunu, greenhorn Ganyane has been terrific for the Sharks this term. The 23-year-old Glenwood Old Boy has proven himself to be more than capable at franchise level and his regular starts in the No 1 jersey, with Ox Nche shifting to the bench, shows how much faith his coach has in his abilities.
With most of the pressure off and having established himself as a regular feature in his side’s matchday squad, the talented Ganyane may be looking to express himself even more fully over the next two weeks, which could spell bad news for Benetton.
Nicholas Gasperini (Benetton)
The 22-year-old hooker caught the eye two weeks back after helping himself to a brace of tries in the big win over Leinster and will be hoping for more of the same in Durban. Making an impression against a Sharks pack that has, despite their struggles in other areas, dominated at the set piece, will go a long way to advancing his Test match credentials.
If Gasperini can hold his own on Saturday, his team will be in a good position to cause an upset.
Tactical overview
Despite trailing Leinster by 14-points at one stage in Round 16, Benetton showed tremendous staying power to fight back and ultimately end up downing the Irish giants by three-points. That says something about the character of the Italian outfit, and despite their lowly placing on the log, the Sharks must be wary of complacency on Saturday.
Much will depend on the ball handling of both teams in the Durban climate, where unforced errors are often the order of the day and the team that best controls territory and possession usually comes out on top. Another key area, especially for Benetton, will be set piece accuracy given how dominant the Sharks’ heavies have been this season.
It’s also interesting to note that these are the two most ill-disciplined sides in the competition, with the hosts having conceded155 penalties, and Benetton 149. On top of that, the Sharks have copped seven yellow cards and one red, while the visitors’ 14 yellows are a tournament high. These may be interesting stats to keep in mind when the match kicks off this weekend.
Prediction
The Hollywoodbets Sharks to clear the handicap in front of their home crowd when all is said and done.
