Hollywoodbets Sharks coach JP Pietersen has made just one change to his team for Saturday’s Vodacom United Rugby Championship derby against the Vodacom Bulls but it could prove to be a significant one.
Injury prevented Jordan Hendrikse, who started two test matches for the Springboks at flyhalf last year, from playing any part in the pre-season, when the Sharks went through a merry-go-round of pivots that may have had a big influence on the poor start to their URC campaign. But Hendrikse has been fit again since the end of October, with eyebrows thus being raised when he’s been left out of the starting team subsequent to then.
The injury to Aphelele Fassi may have justified his playing at fullback, but when Fassi was fit for last week’s Investec Champions Cup game against Saracens it did seem odd that George Whitehead was backed ahead of Hendrikse as the starting No 10. As it turned out, the wet weather may have suited Whitehead, who put in a solid tactical performance, but the Sharks desperately need someone they can rely on as their regular game driver and Whitehead is 36-years-old.
Hendrikse has been selected to wear the No 10 this week in what the Sharks team announcement press release described as a rotational switch but many Sharks fans will be hoping that Hendrikse avails himself of the opportunity to show exactly why he was chosen as a Springbok off his form for the Lions before he moved to Durban.
Hakeem Kunene has been selected in Fassi’s place at fullback, with Fassi having picked up a concussion in last week’s win over Saracens at a drenched Hollywoodbets Kings Park. With Hendrikse slotting into the No 10 position, it means that Kunene is the only Sharks backline player for this game at the same venue who is not a capped Springbok.
Your Hollywoodbets Sharks team for SharksFest 🦈🔥Let’s make the Tank rattle this Saturday! Bring the noise! @urc #vodacom pic.twitter.com/k6o176HqLt
— The Sharks (@SharksRugby) December 18, 2025
The Sharks will be hoping for more of the determined form shown by skipper Andre Esterhuizen and his centre partner Ethan Hooker last week and the hope will be that the rest of the team will follow their lead. It is a derby, and the Sharks do tend to get up for those, and will also have the confidence that comes with finally getting over the line as winners against a rated, albeit under-strength team on the day, club last week.
“A win is always important, it gives you belief, it gives you something you can work on and it gives you motivation and confidence to take into the next game,” said coach Pietersen.
“We know it’s not going to be easy against the Bulls, as they’re also desperate, but what a challenge it’s going to be.”
Indeed, it is, with both teams loaded with Boks but languishing on the URC log and effectively facing a must win situation if they want to reach their goals for the season - in the Sharks’ case that should be just to make the top eight, while the Bulls can still make it into the top four in the URC, which signifies home ground advantage in the playoffs, if they embark on a winning run from here.
Hollywoodbets Sharks team: Hakeem Kunene, Edwill van der Merwe, Ethan Hooker, Andre Esterhuizen (captain), Makazole Mapimpi, Jordan Hendrikse, Grant Williams, Phepsi Buthelezi, Vincent Tshituka, Siya Kolsi, Emile van Heerden, Jason Jenkins, Hanro Jacobs, Bongi Mbonambi, Phatu Ganyane.
Replacements: Eduan Swart, Lee-Marvin Mazibuko, Mawande Mdanda, Marvin Orie, Matt Romao, Nick Hatton, Jaden Hendrikse, George Whitehead.