Esterhuizen hits a century and Fassi returns

December 12, 2025
106
Ultimate Rugby

The Hollywoodbets Sharks welcome English giants Saracens to Hollywoodbets Kings Park on Saturday for the first home game of their Investec Champions Cup campaign.

The team selected for this match is both an acknowledgement of the quality of opposition that comes to Durban as well as a show of force of the squad that has been assembled for the team in Black & White.

Andre Esterhuizen leads a side both star-studded and a mix of talented youth.

Aphelele Fassi has been handed a start in his customary fullback position, the weekend special returning after sustaining an ankle injury for the Springboks against the All Blacks in September and his is a welcome return to action.

Hooker Bongi Mbonambi, flank Siya Kolisi, scrumhalf Grant Williams, Esterhuizen at centre, outside centre Ethan Hooker and Edwill van der Merwe (wing) all feature in the starting XV after their exploits in a Springbok jersey during the recent internationals.

Esterhuizen, who celebrates his 100^th appearance for the Hollywoodbets Sharks on this auspicious occasion, speaks of the milestone he is achieving, “It’s taken me a while to get here, but it’s a massive honour to play my 100^th game for a franchise like the Hollywoodbets Sharks. I was always going to come back here after my stint overseas and I’m really excited for this week and honoured to play 100 games in the jersey.”

Saracens have had a similar season to the Hollywoodbets Sharks, having missed their internationals during the Autumn Nations Series and the British & Irish Lions tour to Australia between June and August, but they have brought back the likes of Ben Earl, Elliot Daly, Owen Farrell and Jamie George for the mini tour to South Africa, and like the Durban side who were recent Challenge Cup title-holders, the three-time Champions Cup winners from England will feel they have a point to prove.

Saturday’s match between the two rugby powerhouses kicks off at 5.15pm.

Hollywoodbets Sharks