The Hollywoodbets Sharks victory in the EPCR Challenge Cup may have made them tougher opposition for the Vodacom Bulls this weekend in their final Vodacom United Rugby Championship match, but in reality, the Bulls are even more hungry for victory on their trip to Durban.

Bulls gearing up for a massive Sharks onslaught

Hollywoodbets Sharks captain Eben Etzebeth described his team’s convincing victory against Gloucester in the EPCR Challenge Cup final at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London on Friday night as his greatest club highlight and lauded his team’s character for making history by becoming the first South African franchise to win the European title.

Etzebeth describes historic EPCR Challenge Cup win as biggest club highlight

The Hollywoodbets Sharks became the first South African team to taste success in Europe as they produced a forward masterclass to beat English side Gloucester 36-22 and claim the EPCR Challenge Cup trophy on Friday night.

Powerful Sharks performance sees them to Challenge Cup glory

Those who know the EPCR Challenge Cup was created just for the purpose of giving European also-rans something to play for will have thought Eben Etzebeth was stretching it when he said Friday’s final is his biggest ever club game, but he is 100 per cent correct.

CHALLENGE CUP: It’s the stakes that make the final so important

Hollywoodbets Sharks coach John Plumtree feels his work has been done and now he is standing back so the leaders in the team can step forward and ensure they and their teammates are mentally ready for Friday night’s EPCR Challenge Cup final against Gloucester.

Plumtree relying on experience of Bok World Cup winners

The Hollywoodbets Sharks’ opponents in Friday night’s EPCR Challenge Cup final at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium have made four changes to the side that got them there by beating Benetton in the semifinal three weeks ago.

Gloucester make four changes for the final against Sharks

The Hollywoodbets Sharks will have double Rugby World Cup winner Eben Etzebeth as their appointed leader when they clash with Gloucester in Friday night’s EPCR Challenge Cup final at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Etzebeth leads star studded Sharks in final

As it is the EPCR’s secondary competition and the teams playing in it are always playing to make it into the Investec Champions Cup, the list of title holders in the Challenge Cup does not run to the multiple sequence of wins that some clubs enjoyed in the higher echelon of European rugby.

CHALLENGE CUP FACTS: Previous success doesn't give Gloucester an advantage

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Highlights from the match between Gloucester Rugby and Hollywoodbets Sharks which took place at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium

Gloucester Rugby v Hollywoodbets Sharks | Final | Match Highlights | European Rugby Challenge Cup

Trophy Presentation | Gloucester Rugby v Hollywoodbets Sharks | European Rugby Challenge Cup

Highlights from the match between Gloucester Rugby and Benetton Rugby which took place at Kingsholm Stadium

Gloucester Rugby v Benetton Rugby | Match Highlights | European Rugby Challenge Cup

Highlights from the match between Hollywoodbets Sharks and Clermont Auvergne which took place at Twickenham Stoop

Hollywoodbets Sharks v Clermont Auvergne | Match Highlights | European Rugby Challenge Cup

The Sharks have their sights set on Clermont

Preview | European Rugby Challenge Cup

Benetton Rugby vs Connacht Rugby
Stadio Monigo
Treviso

Benetton v Connacht | Match Highlights | European Rugby Challenge Cup

Highlights from the match between Gloucester Rugby and Ospreys which took place at the Kingsholm Stadium

Gloucester v Ospreys | Match Highlights | European Rugby Challenge Cup

European Challenge Cup