New year, new name, but still the same Sharks.

Formerly known as the Cell C Sharks, the South African club from Durban is now the Hollywoodbets Sharks as they look to reach the top-eight of the URC to qualify for the Investec Champions Cup, which also went through a name change this season. 

The Sharks will be different, though, as Siya Kolisi, one of South Africa’s best players and the Springboks captain, moved to French club Racing 92 of the Top 14.

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The Sharks just made the cut for the URC playoffs in 2023, finishing eighth in the United Rugby Championship regular season, three points ahead of fellow South African team, the Emirates Lions, with 48 points and a 9-1-8 record. 

They will play in the EPCR Challenge Cup after finishing third among the four South African teams in URC play last season. They will also compete in the Currie Cup. 

The Sharks begin the new season with a tough match against the defending United Rugby Championship champions, Munster Rugby in Ireland.  

Here’s a look at the Hollywoodbets Sharks. 

Hollywoodbets Sharks Rugby Schedule 2023-2024

For more schedule information, times and dates changes, visit the Hollywoodbets Sharks schedule page on FloRugby. 

• Week 1: Munster Rugby vs Hollywoodbets Sharks
• Week 2: Leinster vs Hollywoodbets Sharks
• Week 3: Ospreys Rugby vs Hollywoodbets Sharks
• Week 4: Zebre Parma vs Hollywoodbets Sharks
• Week 5: Hollywoodbets Sharks vs Connacht Rugby
• Week 6: Hollywoodbets Sharks vs Dragons
• Week 7: Vodacom Bulls vs Hollywoodbets Sharks
• Week 8: DHL Stormers vs Hollywoodbets Sharks
• Week 9: Hollywoodbets Shark vs DHL Stormers
• Week 10: Hollywoodbets Shark vs DHL Stormers
• Week 11: Emirates Lions vs Hollywoodbets Sharks
• Week 12: Hollywoodbets Sharks vs Ulster Rugby
• Week 13: Hollywoodbets Sharks vs Edinburgh Rugby
• Week 14: Glasgow Warriors vs Hollywoodbets Sharks
• Week 15: Scarlets vs Hollywoodbets Sharks
• Week 16: Hollywoodbets Sharks vs Benetton Rugby
• Week 17: Hollywoodbets Sharks vs Cardiff
• Week 18: Hollywoodbets Sharks vs Vodacom Bulls

When Are the 2024 United Rugby Championship Quarterfinals?

The URC quarterfinals are June 7-8. Currently there are three games scheduled for June 8 and one on June 7. 

Times are to be announced. 

When Are the 2024 United Rugby Championship Semifinals?

The URC Semifinals are June 15.

Times are to be announced. 

When is the United Rugby Championship Grand Final?

The URC Final is scheduled for June 22. 

Hollywoodbets Sharks Odds Of Winning URC Grand Final

The Sharks have the fourth-best odds of winning the URC Grand Final at 12-to-1.

Who Is The Best Player For Hollywoodbets Sharks? It’s Thomas du Toit

The URC list the top 100 players entering the 2023-2024 season. Prop Thomas du Toit was the No. 7-ranked player in the URC. All together, the Sharks had seven players in the top 100, including: 

• No. 34 Eben Etzebeth, second row
• No. 41 Ox Nche, prop
• No. 60 Siya Kolisi, back row*
• No. 76 Gerbrandt Grobler, second row
• No. 80 Jaden Hendrikse, scrum half
• No. 100 Makazole Mapimpi, wing

*Kolisi signed with Racing 92 in January 2023 but finished the season with the Sharks. The former DHL Stormer will join Racing 92 after the World Cup. 

New Players On The Hollywoodbets Rugby Roster

New signings: Vincent Koch (Stade Français), Siya Masuku (Cheetahs), Diego Appollis (Pumas), George Cronje (Cheetahs), Ig Prinsloo (Pumas), Coenie Oosthuizen, Aphiwe Dyantyi (unattached), Francois Hougaard (Saracens).

Where Are The Hollywoodbets Sharks Rugby Based?

The Hollywoodbets Sharks home grounds are in Durban, South Africa, in the KwaZulu-Natal province. The home grounds are at Hollywoodbets Kings Park. 

Who Coaches Hollywoodbets Sharks? It’s John Plumtree

John Plumtree returns to coach the Hollywoodbets Sharks. Plumtree coached the Sharks from 2008-2012. The New Zealand native coached for Ireland and Japan as an assistant coach, served as head coach of the Hurricanes in Super Rugby and was an assistant for the All Blacks from 2020-2022. 

He played for the Sharks from 1988-1997. 

Hollywoodbets Sharks Will Compete For The EPCR Challenge Cup

The Sharks are the hard-luck team of the URC this season. 

European Professional Club Rugby and the URC changed the qualifications for the Champions Cup in October 2023 so that this season’s top eight teams will all qualify for the Champions Cup. 

However, that doesn’t help the Sharks, who finished eighth last season but finished third in their shield – third among other teams in South Africa– and didn’t qualify for the Champions Cup. If the Sharks finish eighth next season, they will compete in the Champions Cup. 

Their first EPCR Challenge Cup match is Dec. 9 at 10:15 a.m. ET against French club Section Paloise of Top 14.

How Hollywoodbets Sharks Rugby Got Its Name? 

Originally known as Natal for their province, the team’s first season was in 1993. In 1995, the team adopted the Sharks branding. 

Hollywoodbets is a betting company in South Africa that became the team’s sponsor, like the other South African clubs sponsored by DHL, Vodacom and Emirates. 

Who Owns The Hollywoodbets Sharks? That Would be JayZ, Roc Nation 

That’s right. In 2021, JayZ’s Roc Nation, under the name “MVM Holdings” purchased 51% of the Sharks franchise. They also own parts of English rugby club, Saracens. 

How To Watch Hollywoodbets Sharks Rugby 

All of the Hollywoodbets Sharks rugby matches in URC and EPCR Challenge Cup will stream live on FloRugby and the FloSports app in the United States. 

Replays, highlights and archival matches are also available on both platforms. 

How To Watch Rugby Matches In The United States On FloRugby

The URC will stream all its matches on FloRugby and the FloSports app in the United States. FloRugby and FloSports are also the U.S. home to: 

• Investec Champions Cup
• EPCR Challenge Cup
• Currie Cup
• Top 14
• Super Rugby
• And more.

FloRugby is also home to match archives and match replays. 

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