Sharks hunt historic final berth in European Professional Club Rugby (EPCR) Challenge Cup

The Hollywoodbets Sharks will have a golden opportunity to make history by becoming the first South African franchise to advance to the EPCR Challenge Cup final when they face Clermont Auvergne in a blockbuster semi-final at the Twickenham Stoop in London on Saturday.

With their Vodacom United Rugby Championship playoff hopes already dashed following a disappointing start to the season, this will mark a significant occasion for the KwaZulu-Natalians to earn some redemption in a season of mixed fortunes.

Given the close margins between the teams this season it is expected to be a humdinger.

Both sides suffered only one defeat in the competition to date, while Clermont hold a narrow one-point lead over the Hollywoodbets Sharks on points’ difference in their five matches. Adding to this, both sides come off morale-boosting victories last weekend in the Vodacom URC and French Top 14.

While Clermont will enter the match with confidence after registering a convincing 41-18 victory at home against Stade Francais in the Top 14, the Hollywoodbets Sharks will draw inspiration from their 32-27 victory against the Scarlets in Llanelli in the Vodacom URC – not only because of the fighting spirit they showed to hold on for the victory in a tense finish to the match, but also given the fact that it was an away game.

Interestingly, the teams find themselves in a similarly precarious position this season with disappointing performances early in the season, with the Durbanites having won four of their 15 matches in the Vodacom URC, while Clermont’s track record shows nine wins in 22 outings in the Top 14, making this a vital clash for both teams.

The match kicks off at 13h30 on Saturday and will be broadcast live on SuperSport. The second semi-final, between Gloucester and Benetton, kicks off at 16h00.

EPCR Challenge Cup semi-final – Hollywoodbets Sharks v Clermont Auvergne

Date: Saturday, 4 May

Venue: Twickenham Stoop, London

SA Time: 13h30

Referee: Luke Pearce

TV: SuperSport

Issued by SA Rugby Communications

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of South African Rugby.

Media Resources:
Investec Champions Cup:
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Fixtures&Results: https://apo-opa.co/3UL5KjC
Standings: https://apo-opa.co/3UIcu1T
Digital Tournament Guide: https://apo-opa.co/4boGoxQ
Official Website: www.EPCRugby.com/

EPCR Challenge Cup:
Latest News: https://apo-opa.co/3WlN2Az
Fixtures&Results: https://apo-opa.co/3JJks4H
Standings: https://apo-opa.co/3UtNfii
Official Website: https://apo-opa.co/3wbwLUe

Media managers’ contacts:
Team: Vodacom Bulls
Media Manager: Lunga Kupiso
E-mail address: lunga.k@bluebull.co.za

Team: DHL Stormers
Media Manager: Michael de Vries
E-mail address: mdevries@wprugby.co.za

Team: Emirates Lions
Media Manager: Nyaniso Sam
E-mail address: nyaniso@ellispark.co.za

Team: Hollywoodbets Sharks
Media Manager: Novashni Chetty
E-mail address: novashni@thesharks.co.za

Team: Toyota Cheetahs
Media Manager: Ronel Pienaar
E-mail address: ronel@fsrugby.co.za

Team: EPCR: Director of Comms&PR
Media Manager: Anna Young
E-mail address: anna.young@epcrugby.com

Team: EPCR: Communications Manager
Media Manager: Mark Jones
E-mail address: mark.jones@epcrugby.com

SA Rugby on social media:
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For further information, please contact:
Andy Colquhoun
GM: Communications and Commercial
+27 (0) 21 928 7010
+27 (0) 82 926 0789
andyc@sarugby.co.za

De Jongh Borchardt
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+27 (0) 21 928 7021
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Sindiswa Ximba
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+27 (0) 60 504 1069
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Zeena Isaacs
Springbok Media Manager
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+27 (0) 82 357 3112
ZeenaI@sarugby.co.za

JJ Harmse
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SA teams’ digital platforms:

Investec Champions Cup

Vodacom Bulls:
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DHL Stormers:
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EPCR Challenge Cup

Emirates Lions:
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FB: https://apo-opa.co/4dlE0cJ
X: https://apo-opa.co/4dsWYOT
IG: https://apo-opa.co/44sIhqT

Hollywoodbets Sharks:
Web: SharksRugby.co.za
FB: https://apo-opa.co/3UHEkeK
X: https://apo-opa.co/3UL85Lq
IG: https://apo-opa.co/3Wmrxj7

Toyota Cheetahs:
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FB: https://apo-opa.co/3QtT3Yf
X: https://apo-opa.co/3QvsGkm
IG: https://apo-opa.co/4a7ccWT