The gloves will be off when the Hollywoodbets Sharks and Emirates Lions clash in Durban on Saturday – the only Vodacom United Rugby Championship game of the weekend – in a repeat of last weekend’s match-up, but this time with silverware up for grabs.

After this rescheduled first round encounter – which is scheduled to kick off at 14h00 and will be broadcast live on SuperSport – all 16 participating teams will be level on 12 matches played with the race to the final eight kicking up a gear.

While the Hollywoodbets Sharks will have their sights set squarely on avenging their heavy 38-14 defeat against the Johannesburgers last week and to reduce the gap between themselves and the third-placed Vodacom Bulls on the table – which is currently seven points – the ninth-placed Emirates Lions will be determined to build on their strong showing last week and finally break into the top eight on the standings, with only six pool matches remaining after this clash to book a playoff spot.

The KwaZulu-Natalians also know victory over their visitors will see them add the Vodacom URC SA Shield to the EPCR Challenge Cup and the Carling Currie Cup, which are already in their trophy cabinet at Hollywoodbets Kings Park.

And if the hosts don’t win, the SA Shield will find its way back to Cape Town and the DHL Stormers.

But first, they have to get past the Emirates Lions, who were in superb form last week as they built up a 38-0 lead by the 70^th minute before receiving a yellow card and leaking two late tries, which allowed the Hollywoodbets Sharks to score 14 points.

This memory will surely inspire the visitors to replicate that form this weekend, and charge up the Durbanites to correct the wrongs that cost them so dearly in Gauteng last Saturday.

Adding to the anticipation, the Hollywoodbets Sharks will also be hunting their first win in three matches against the Emirates Lions – who won the corresponding fixture last season by 20-18 – while the men from Joburg will look to register their third win in five matches so far in 2025. Given the high stakes for both teams as the competition enters the home straight neither side will hold back.

Spicing up the clash, the Hollywoodbets Sharks have been more effective on attack this season, scoring 30 points more than the Emirates Lions in their 11 matches to date, but the Emirates Lions have conceded 43 points fewer, which sets the scene for a gripping encounter.

The Hollywoodbets Sharks have won all their home games so far this season – a record they will be desperate to maintain – but they will be wary of the fact that the Emirates Lions will be no pushovers, especially after their win last week and having beaten the Dragons and Zebre Parma away earlier in the season.

Match Information:

Hollywoodbets Sharks v Emirates Lions

Date: Saturday, 8 March

Venue: Hollywoodbets Kings Park, Durban

SA Time: 14h00

Referee: Morne Ferreira

TV: SuperSport