On Saturday, Durban rugby fans eagerly anticipate a Vodacom United Rugby Championship (URC) derby between the Hollywoodbets Sharks and the DHL Stormers. This encounter presents a golden opportunity for the Sharks to break a long-standing drought against their coastal rivals, who have dominated these clashes for years.
The significance of this match has ignited excitement among supporters, evidenced by the Sharks’ announcement that the lower tiers of Hollywoodbets Kings Park are sold out, prompting the release of upper-tier seats—a rarity for regular URC fixtures. The Stormers’ appeal as a crowd-puller is undeniable. They consistently draw large audiences, as seen in their sold-out clash against the Vodacom Bulls last year at Loftus, a feat typically reserved for finals. For Sharks fans, however, this match is more than a spectacle; it’s a chance to overturn years of frustration.
The Stormers have maintained an upper hand in coastal derbies since early 2021, when the Sharks last triumphed in a Rainbow Cup match in Cape Town during the COVID-19 era of restricted fan attendance. The Sharks’ last home victory against the Stormers in a full-strength competition dates back even further, to the final Super Rugby encounter between the two sides in early 2020.
Since the URC’s inception, the Sharks have struggled to best the Stormers, coming closest in their inaugural clash in February 2022. Despite dominating much of the game in Durban, the Sharks allowed the Stormers to secure a draw late on. Subsequent matches have largely followed the Stormers’ script, with the Cape Town side not losing to another South African franchise between December 2021 and late 2023, save for a solitary defeat to the Bulls at Loftus.
This weekend’s derby, however, might tilt in the Sharks’ favour, given the Stormers’ injury woes. Coach John Dobson is grappling with an extensive list of absentees, including Springbok stalwarts like Frans Malherbe, Steven Kitshoff, Damian Willemse, and Evan Roos, alongside several other first-choice players. Conversely, the Sharks boast a near-full-strength squad, albeit missing influential figures Eben Etzebeth and Ox Nche. Coach John Plumtree is expected to field a formidable lineup featuring multiple Springboks, such as Trevor Nyakane, Bongi Mbonambi, and Vincent Koch, complemented by rising stars like Ntuthuko Nchunu.
The Sharks’ second row is bolstered by seasoned campaigners like Jason Jenkins and Corne Rahl, while their backline brims with pace and creativity. World-class players such as Lukhanyo Am, Makazole Mapimpi, and Aphelele Fassi offer dynamism and X-factor, while Jaden Hendrikse and Grant Williams provide depth at scrumhalf. Flyhalf Jordan Hendrikse enters the game brimming with confidence after a strong showing for the Springboks in Cardiff.
Recent form adds to the Sharks’ optimism. They registered convincing victories against Glasgow Warriors and Munster before the international break. The Stormers, while capable of brilliance, have displayed inconsistency, most notably in their recent loss to Glasgow in Stellenbosch.
Saturday’s game offers the Sharks their best opportunity in years to rewrite the narrative of coastal derbies. With their depth, form, and home-ground advantage, they enter the match as favorites. A victory would not only break the drought but also reestablish Durban as a fortress for the Sharks in the URC. However, should they falter despite these advantages, doubts about their ability to conquer their Cape Town rivals will undoubtedly deepen.
