Little motivation needed to fire Sharks up for Bulls URC semi
The Sharks have needed very little motivation this week to get themselves fired up for their massive United Rugby Championship (URC) semifinal encounter against the Bulls at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday evening (kick-off 6:30pm).
It is the Durban sides first time in a URC semifinal, and they had to qualify the hard way, by winning a first ever URC playoff penalty shootout against Munster last weekend.
That match went to 100 minutes, after the sides were locked level at 24-all at the end of fulltime, followed by a scoreless 20 minutes of extra time, meaning a kick-off was needed to break the deadlock.
Despite the toll that would have taken on the players, a derby semifinal against arguably their biggest local rivals in front of a crowd of 50000 people on the Highveld was the perfect tonic to lift them back up.
'With big games like this, it's often your easiest week as a coach. The players are all excited about the opportunity,' explained Sharks coach John Plumtree at the team announcement on Friday.
'We had to lighten the load a lot in training based on what happened last weekend, but they're feeling good.'
Done the double
A boost to the visitors heading into the clash is that they have already done the double over the Bulls in the pool phase this season, winning 20-17 in Durban in December, before stunning the hosts in Pretoria 29-19 earlier this year.
They will thus be high on confidence, but will also be well aware that they have to win the little battles on the day, including the psychological one.
A mouthwatering battle is also expected to be waged in the scrums, as a Springbok World Cup winning front row of Ox Nche, Bongi Mbonambi and Vincent Koch, front up against arguably the URC's best scrum this season, of Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Johan Grobbelaar and Wilco Louw.
'It's not just about who gets front-foot ball but also the psychological battle, and that's what it's all about, these big contests. The Bulls are not just a scrummaging team, they're a good set-piece team, particularly at Loftus,' Plumtree said.
'These are big derby games, aren't they? The Sharks-Bulls game at Loftus, everyone in Durban will be watching this game of rugby because it's based on the contests there have been over the years, and there have been some great contests.'
The winner of the Highveld semifinal will either be traveling to Dublin to face Irish powerhouse Leinster, or hosting Scottish defending champs Glasgow Warriors in the Grand Final next weekend.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
IOL News
2 hours ago
- IOL News
Time for Bulls to take hands and sing 'Kumbaya' after Jake White's ugly departure
Jake White and the Bulls have parted ways after rumours of dressing room split. Image: Backpagepix COMMENT It remains to be seen whether the Bulls will now sit in a circle, hold hands and sing Kumbaya following the departure of director of rugby Jake White. Reports of ugly infighting and a player revolt had been rife over the past few months. And, after weeks of speculation, White has left the Bulls after five years in charge of the franchise. It was widely reported, following last month's United Rugby Championship final — won 32–7 by Leinster — that a number of Bulls players were unhappy with White's post-match comments. White essentially said that the players at his disposal were not good enough to compete with the likes of the Irish giants. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading This reportedly sparked a player revolt, led by captain Ruan Nortje and Springbok Marcell Coetzee, who also raised concerns about White's management style. There were additional rumours of a major fallout between White and assistant coaches Chris Rossouw and Andries Bekker. The Bulls' once-celebrated team culture seems fractured, with White clearly at the centre of the dressing-room drama. The Bulls kept things respectful in their announcement of his departure, praising his contributions over the last five years. White, too, avoided criticism, signing off his farewell with a nostalgic 'hou die blou bol! (hold the blue ball)' Ironically, White's long-standing call for more Springbok reinforcements was finally answered this week — just after his exit. The Bulls announced a raft of signings to bolster the URC outfit ahead of next season. They have acquired the services of veteran centre Jan Serfontein, Springbok locks Marvin Orie and Nicolaas Janse van Rensburg, and Stormers scrumhalf Paul de Wet. Bok flyhalf Handré Pollard is also set to return to Pretoria next season. The side also confirmed that star Bok wing Kurt-Lee Arendse will return to the kraal from his loan spell in Japan. Arendse reportedly ignored White's calls while abroad and failed to return in time to be considered for the URC playoffs. The Bulls are still weighing up their options for a new coach, with former Lions boss Johan Ackermann and Bath's Johann van Graan among the names being mentioned as possible replacements.
The Citizen
3 hours ago
- The Citizen
Photos and video: Action on and off the field at the FNB U18 Craven Week
Photos and video: Action on and off the field at the FNB U18 Craven Week Future rugby stars are lighting up the field at the 2025 FNB U18 Craven Week being played at Middelburg Hoërskool in Mpumalanga. On the field, provincial players are showcasing their prowess, while off the field, a friendly rugby match between kids got the crowd up on their feet and stole the show. Relive the action: Day 1 Limpopo vs Pumas | WP XV vs Griffons | Lions vs Bulls | Lions vs Bulls | SWD vs Free State | Photos: Frans Lombard/Actionpix. Make sure to keep an eye on his Facebook page for more. Read more: SWD stun Free State, Lions trump Bulls and Pumas pummel Limpopo Day 2 Leopards vs Valke | Border vs Griquas | Border vs Griquas | WP vs Boland | Photos: Frans Lombard/Actionpix. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Middelburg Observer (@mobserver) View this post on Instagram A post shared by Middelburg Observer (@mobserver) View this post on Instagram A post shared by Middelburg Observer (@mobserver) Read more: WP hit 80 as Border and Sharks win, and Leopards and Valke draw Watch the kids steal the show: Day 3 Limpopo vs Griffons | Pumas vs WP XV | Bulls vs Free State | SWD vs Lions | Photos: Frans Lombard/Actionpix. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Middelburg Observer (@mobserver) View this post on Instagram A post shared by Middelburg Observer (@mobserver) View this post on Instagram A post shared by Middelburg Observer (@mobserver) Read more: Limpopo fight back as Pumas, Bulls and Lions bullied
IOL News
5 hours ago
- IOL News
Edwill van der Merwe: I didn't want to be a one-cap Springbok
Springbok winger Edwill van der Merwe will make his home debut in his second Test for the national side against Italy on Saturday in Gqeberha. Image: BackpagePix On Saturday afternoon in the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Edwill van der Merwe will breathe a big sigh of relief when he takes to the field in the second Test against Italy. The speedy winger will run out for Springbok cap number two after waiting over a year to don the green and gold again. He last played against Wales at Twickenham in June 2024, where he made his debut. Now, Van der Merwe will get to live his boyhood dream again. After injuries curtailed his international dream last season, he wondered if he would stay a one-Test Bok. That will not be the case come Saturday as he is set to take on the Azzurri alongside Springbok veteran Willie le Roux, who will be playing in his 100th Test, and fellow winger Makazole Mapimpi in an exciting back-three for the duel (5.10 pm start). 'The biggest goal was to play for the Springboks and when I got my first cap, I told myself I didn't want to be a one-cap Bok,' Van der Merwe said. 'So, to get this opportunity again, I am very grateful. I know it is only through the grace of God that I am sitting here again. I think it's almost a year and a month later that I am getting this opportunity, so I'm looking forward to Saturday.' He had a strong debut against Wales and showed, with some neat touches, that he belonged on the international stage. The try he scored beating a couple of defenders at Twickenham will always be one to remember. He also made a couple of try-saving tackles, and showed that he is willing to put his body on the line for the world champions. However, an ankle injury kept him on the sidelines and with the strong competition in the Bok squad, he missed out on selection for the Boks' unbeaten Year-end tour to Europe. Strong showings for the Lions in the United Rugby Championship brought him back into the picture. He has swapped the Johannesburg side for a move to the Sharks and Durban recently. It will be his first Test on South African soil, but he will lean on the experience of Le Roux and Mapimpi.
