The Hollywoodbets Sharks enter the 2025–26 United Rugby Championship campaign looking to build on a strong 2024–25 season. They finished third in the table, winning 11 matches and reaching the semifinals, where they fell to the Vodacom Bulls. 

That performance marked a return to consistent playoff contention after a period of uneven results, with the Durban club reestablishing itself as one of the top South African sides in the URC.

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Founded in 1890 as Natal, the Sharks are steeped in tradition, from their nine Currie Cup titles to their European breakthrough in the 2022–23 EPCR Challenge Cup. Kings Park continues to be one of the most iconic rugby venues in South Africa, and the squad remains a cornerstone for Springbok internationals. Fans expect a physical brand of rugby mixed with flair out wide, a style that has defined the Sharks for decades.

The Sharks also enter this season with several of the world’s best players in their ranks, highlighting the squad’s depth. They remain among the URC’s most dangerous teams in attack and one of the strongest South African brands competing in Europe. With Champions Cup fixtures against Toulouse, Saracens, Sale, and Clermont, the Sharks will test themselves against elite opposition on both fronts.

Eben Etzebeth And Siya Kolisi Lead A World-Class Pack

Few URC teams can boast the forward power the Sharks bring with Eben Etzebeth (No. 10 on FloRugby’s Top 100) and Siya Kolisi (No. 35). Etzebeth’s presence in the second row anchors the set piece, while Kolisi’s leadership and work rate at flanker set the tone. Both are current Springbok icons, and their experience from World Cup triumphs gives the Sharks stability in the tightest matches. The combination of physicality, lineout dominance, and leadership makes their pack one of the URC’s most formidable.

Attack Remains A Major Weapon

The Sharks finished 2024–25 with 473 points and 60 tries, ranking third in the league for offensive production. They gained nearly 8,000 metres with ball in hand and beat 489 defenders, showing both power and evasiveness. Grant Williams (No. 63) provides electric pace from scrum half, while Andre Esterhuizen (No. 98) offers midfield muscle. Add in the finishing of Makazole Mapimpi and Aphelele Fassi, and the Sharks can score from anywhere on the pitch. Their blend of bruising forwards and dynamic backs makes them a threat in transition and structured play alike.

Discipline Could Be The Deciding Factor

If the Sharks are to take the next step, discipline must improve. Last season, they conceded 185 penalties and collected 15 yellow cards, among the highest totals in the competition. Those lapses often gave opponents momentum and scoring opportunities, undermining an otherwise efficient scrum (90% success) and lineout (89% success). With a roster stacked with internationals, the Sharks have the talent to win close matches, but improved discipline will determine whether they can convert semifinal appearances into championship runs.

How To Watch Hollywoodbets Sharks Rugby in the U.S.

Every Hollywoodbets Sharks game in the 2025–26 URC season will stream live on FloRugby in the United States. Matches are also available through the FloSports app, giving fans the ability to watch on mobile devices, smart TVs, and streaming platforms.

Subscribe To The FloRugby Annual Plan To Watch Every Hollywoodbets Sharks Match in 2025–26

To follow the Sharks all season long, fans can subscribe to the FloRugby annual plan. The subscription includes every URC game, plus the Investec Champions Cup, EPCR Challenge Cup, and other top rugby competitions worldwide.

European Union Rugby Lives On FloSports And FloRugby

Rugby fans can stream every match from the Top 14, Gallagher Premiership, and United Rugby Championship on FloRugby, along with the Investec Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup, making the platform the U.S. home for the world’s biggest club competitions and the game’s top players

How To Watch Rugby Matches In The United States On FloRugby

Professional club rugby in Europe all streams on FloRugby and the FloSports app in the United States. FloRugby and FloSports also are the U.S. home to: 

• United Rugby Championship
• PREM Rugby
• Top 14
• Investec Champions Cup
• EPCR Challenge Cup
• Currie Cup
• Super Rugby
• And more

FloRugby also is home to match archives and match replays. 

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