sharks

Plum happy to give ‘rusty’ Boks time

John Plumtree says there will be a “bedding-in” period for the returning Springboks, but hopes they can add a touch of ruthlessness to the winless Sharks.

DURBAN, SOUTH AFRICA - OCTOBER 11: Eben Etzebeth of the Cell C Sharks during the Cell C Sharks training session at Hollywoodbets Kings Park on October 11, 2022 in Durban, South Africa.

Sharks get major Bok boost

Eben Etzebeth is among the five Springboks who will return to action for the struggling Sharks in their Vodacom URC clash with Dragons on Saturday.

Grant Williams Jaden Hendrikse trophy tour Darren Stewart/Gallo Images

Boks must play ball with franchises

The Boks more than earned a break after defending their World Cup title in France, but some should have been back on the field for their franchises sooner than others, writes SIMON BORCHARDT.

DURBAN, SOUTH AFRICA - NOVEMBER 14: Lukhanyo Am (captain) of the Hollywoodbets Sharks with Curwin Bosch of the Hollywoodbets Sharks during the Hollywoodbets Sharks training session at Hollywoodbets Kings Park Stadium on November 14, 2023 in Durban, South Africa.

‘Hungry’ Bok to fuel Sharks frenzy

Sharks assistant coach Joey Mongalo says returning Springbok centre Lukhanyo Am is “hungry to play” against a “confrontational” Connacht side on Saturday.

Zebre Parma vs Hollywoodbets Sharks. Sharks' Emile Van Heerden before the game BKT United Rugby Championship, Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi, Italy - 10 Nov 2023

Sharks hit with double-whammy ban

Sharks forwards Hyron Andrews and George Cronje have both been slapped with Vodacom URC bans for the same incident in the loss to Zebre in Parma.

DURBAN, SOUTH AFRICA - NOVEMBER 14: Lukhanyo Am (captain) of the Hollywoodbets Sharks during the Hollywoodbets Sharks training session at Hollywoodbets Kings Park Stadium on November 14, 2023 in Durban, South Africa.

Sharks get Lucky break for homecoming

The Sharks have been boosted by the return of Springbok centre Lukhanyo Am for their first home game of the season against Connacht on Saturday.

Sharks suffer Bongi blow

Sharks coach John Plumtree has admitted his fears that the injury that forced Bongi Mbonambi off in the World Cup final could rule the hooker out for the rest of the season.

Bundee Aki of Connacht during the United Rugby Championship 2022/23 game between Stormers and Connacht at Danie Craven in Stellenbosch on 24 September 2022

Connacht without World Cup stars in SA

Ireland’s World Cup star Bundee Aki was not included in Connacht’s squad for the two-week mini-tour of South Africa.

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Paul Phelan/ProSports/Shutterstock (14182988w) Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu of Stormers is dejected after the United Rugby Championship match between Glasgow Warriors and Stormers at Scotstoun Stadium, Glasgow Glasgow Warriors v Stormers, United Rugby Championship - 03 Nov 2023

URC is not won in November

MARK KEOHANE has delved into the history books to show that the local franchises can bounce back from a tough start on tour in the opening month of the Vodacom URC.

The Vodacom Bulls lineup before kick-off against Cardiff Rugby

Highlights: Bulls, Lions travel first class

Wales proved to be a happy hunting ground for the Lions and Vodacom Bulls, but Italy was less hospitable to the Sharks and DHL Stormers in round 4 of the Vodacom United Rugby Championship. @Vodacom #URC.