Hollywoodbets Sharks vs Toulouse | Investec Champions Cup | Hollywoodbets Kings Park, Durban | 11 January 2025; 17:15 | Betting on Hollywoodbets: Sharks win (3.7), Draw (25), Toulouse win (0.21); Sharks handicap (+10.5 points), Toulouse handicap (-10.5 points); Over/Under (-50pts)
There is much buzz, anticipation and debate surrounding Antoine Dupont’s arrival with Stade Toulousain (Toulouse) for their crunch Investec Champions Cup match against the Hollywoodbets Sharks at Hollywoodbets Kings Park on Saturday evening. The context is that this will only be the seemingly divisive French superstar’s second appearance in the southern hemisphere, which is why many in this part of the world mockingly scoff at the adulation that Dupont enjoys north of the equator for his extraordinary feats on a rugby field.
Coincidentally, that sole appearance by Dupont south of the equator was in his debut against the Springboks in a 37-15 drubbing of Les Bleus in a series that they were comprehensively whitewashed 3-0, when both teams were in the doldrums on the Test stage. SuperSport has since uploaded a viral video on its social media platforms of his touches that day, adding to the hype for a match that might (or might not) have significance considering the amount of internationals on both sides of the ball this weekend.
As for the match itself, it marked what appeared to be another significant step in the Springboks’ recovery following a difficult 2016 season, where they lost eight of 12 Tests, though this was proven to be a false dawn as the 2017 season would reach horrifying new lows. After an early setback with France scoring a third-minute try through South Africa-born full-back Scott Spedding, the Springboks rallied. Fly-half Elton Jantjies began South Africa’s scoring with a sixth-minute penalty.
The hosts then took control with tries from centre Jan Serfontein and flanker Siya Kolisi, both converted by Jantjies. Two further penalties from Jantjies saw South Africa build a 23-7 lead by half-time. France, despite making eight changes from their first Test loss in Pretoria (37-14), struggled to capitalise on their opportunities. They dominated the third quarter, camping near the Springboks’ tryline for 15 minutes, but failed to score due to resolute South African defense. A potential try by debutant Damian Penaud was disallowed after it was ruled he stepped into touch.
The second half saw limited scoring until French fly-half Francois Trinh-Duc kicked a penalty after 24 minutes. Replacement prop Coenie Oosthuizen extended South Africa’s lead with a powerful try, converted by Jantjies. Penaud impressed with a try for France shortly after, but Trinh-Duc’s missed conversion left the score at 30-15. Jantjies, who had an excellent game with the boot, sealed the match with a late try and conversion, bringing his personal tally to 17 points. South Africa’s clinical finishing and solid defense were key to their victory, as they outmaneuvered a determined French side.
At the time, the win marked the green-and-gold’s fourth victory over Les Bleus in seven encounters at Kings Park, with the other three matches ending in draws. It remains to be seen how the encounter between the Sharks and Toulouse will impact the grudge match between the Tests sides when they meet in November, with the the 2023 Rugby World Cup quarterfinal encounter in Paris still fresh in the memory…
