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2024 Hollywoodbets Sharks vs Exeter Chiefs

Powered By Springboks, Sharks Blast Struggling Exeter In Champions Cup

Powered By Springboks, Sharks Blast Struggling Exeter In Champions Cup

The Hollywoodbets Sharks trailed early but exploded against the struggling Exeter Chiefs in Round 1 of Champions Cup play.

Dec 7, 2024 by Joe Harrington
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After taking a seven-point lead, despite being a player down, the Exeter Chiefs were overwhelmed by the Springboks contingent of the Hollywoodbets Sharks on Dec. 7 at Kings Park in Durban, South Africa. 

The Sharks scored 26 unanswered points, as South Africa Rugby national team players Grant Williams, Makazole Mapimpi and former Springboks captain Siya Kolsi scored tries en route to a 39-21 win in Round 1 of the 2024-2025 Investec Champions Cup. 

Kolisi, who spent a year playing for Racing 92 between stints with the Sharks, scored two tries for the Sharks. He is one of eight Springboks, the No. 1 team in the World Rugby Rankings, who played in South Africa's last international match. That includes, Eben Etzebeth, the most-capped Springbok. 

Dan Frost scored two tries in the first half for the Exeter Chiefs, who are 0-0-7 in Premiership play this season. 

Live Now · Dec 7, 1:00 PM UTC

2024 Hollywoodbets Sharks vs Exeter Chiefs


The Chiefs cut into the Sharks' lead in the final quarter of the match. The Sharks were playing with three yellow cards that helped lead to a try by Immanuel Fey-Waboso, the England Rugby star.

First Half: Sharks Set The Tone

The Sharks wasted no time after Frost's first try in establishing control, with Williams crossing the try line in the 26th minute following a missed earlier conversion by Hendrikse. 

Moments later, Kolisi added another try, pushing the Sharks’ lead to 24-7 after Hendrikse’s successful conversion.

Exeter’s Will Rigg’s yellow card in the 31st minute opened the door further for the Sharks, but the visitors found some respite, as Dan Frost scored just before halftime. Josh Hodge’s conversion brought the Chiefs within 12 points at the break, trailing 26-14.

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Second Half: Sharks Dominate, Despite Discipline Issues

The second half began with Hendrikse extending the Sharks’ lead with a penalty in the 45th minute, followed by Kolisi’s second try of the match in the 55th. Hendrikse added the extras, making it 36-14.

However, discipline became a concern for the Sharks, with yellow cards shown to Eben Etzebeth, Emile van Heerden, and Eduan Keyter in a 15-minute span. 

Exeter capitalized on the numerical advantage, as Immanuel Feyi-Waboso scored in the 66th minute, converted by Hodge, narrowing the gap to 36-21.

Jordan Hendrikse sealed the victory with a penalty in the 69th minute, capping off a stellar performance with the boot. Despite their late surge, the Chiefs were unable to overcome the Sharks’ imposing first-half lead.

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What's Next For Hollywoodbets Sharks And Exeter Chiefs?

The Sharks travel to England to face the Leicester Tigers in Round 2. 

The Chiefs return home to face No. 1 club in the world, and defending Champions Cup winner, Toulouse. 

Hollywoodbets Sharks Vs. Exeter Chiefs Scoring Summary

Hollywoodbets Sharks: Tries: Williams (26’), Kolisi (35’, 55’); Conversions: Hendrikse (27’, 37’, 57’); Penalties: Hendrikse (45’, 69’)

Exeter Chiefs: Tries: Frost (40’), Feyi-Waboso (66’); Conversions: Hodge (41’, 67’)

Watch Hollywoodbets Sharks vs. Exeter Chiefs Champions Cup Round 1 Highlights

How To Watch The Investec Champions Cup 2024-2025 Season On FloRugby

Every match of the Investec Champions Cup is streaming on FloRugby and the FloSports app. 

Investec Champions Cup 2024-2025 Round 1

Investec Champions Cup 2024-2025  Round 2

Investec Champions Cup 2024-2025 Round 3

Investec Champions Cup 2024-2025 Round 4

Investec Champions Cup Format 

Key points of the 2024-2025 Investec Champions Cup:

  • A multi-pool format, as launched in the 2023-2024 season
  • 24 elite clubs - eight each from the Gallagher Premiership, URC and TOP 14 - in four pools of six
  • Sporting jeopardy, with each club playing against four different opponents, home or away, in the pool stage
  • Four highest-ranked clubs in each pool qualify for the Round of 16
  • The Investec Champions Cup will be played over eight weekends, with four pool rounds and four knockout rounds culminating in the 2025 final, which will be staged at Cardiff's Principality Stadium on Saturday, May 24.

Investec Champions Cup Weekends

  • Round 1 – 6/7/8 December 2024
  • Round 2 – 13/14/15 December 2024
  • Round 3 – 10/11/12 January 2025
  • Round 4 – 17/18/19 January 2025
  • Round of 16 – 4/5/6 April 2025
  • Quarter-finals – 11/12/13 April 2025
  • Semi-finals – 2/3/4 May 2025
  • 2025 Investec Champions Cup final – Saturday, May 24, Principality Stadium, Cardiff

Champions Cup Qualifications 

Twenty-four clubs have qualified for the 2024-2025 Investec Champions Cup as follows:

  • United Rugby Championship (8): The eight highest-ranked clubs based on their final finishing positions.
  • TOP 14 (8): The eight highest-ranked clubs based on their final finishing positions.
  • Gallagher Premiership Rugby (8): The eight highest-ranked clubs based on their final finishing positions.
  • If not already qualified, the winner of the 2024 Investec Champions Cup will take the place of the eighth-ranked club in its league.

Investec Champions Cup Qualifiers 

  • TOP 14 – Stade Toulousain, Union Bordeaux-Bègles, Stade Français Paris, RC Toulon, Stade Rochelais, Racing 92, Castres Olympique, ASM Clermont Auvergne
  • GALLAGHER PREMIERSHIP – Northampton Saints, Bath Rugby, Sale Sharks, Saracens, Bristol Bears, Harlequins, Exeter Chiefs, Leicester Tigers
  • UNITED RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP – Glasgow Warriors, Vodacom Bulls, Munster Rugby, Leinster Rugby, DHL Stormers, Ulster Rugby, Benetton Rugby, Hollywoodbets Sharks

When Does The 2024-2025 Investec Champions Cup Begin? When Is The Champions Cup Final?

The Investec Champions Cup and the EPCR Challenge Cup begin Dec. 6, and the four-round pool-play action ends Jan. 19, 2025. The Round of 16 starts on April 4, while the quarterfinals are April 11-13. The semifinals are May 2-4. 

The EPCR Championships weekend is in Cardiff, Wales at Principality Stadium. There are championship games on May 23 (EPCR Challenge Cup) and May 24 (Investec Champions Cup). 

How To Watch Rugby Matches In The United States On FloRugby

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FloRugby also is home to match archives and match replays. 

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