Live scoring: Sharks v Ulster
The Sharks in action. Image: SA Rugby website
Home » URC | Live scoring: Sharks v Ulster
The Sharks in action. Image: SA Rugby website
The Sharks (currently in fourth place on the URC log with 49 points) will be resolute in their quest to maintain their standing in the top four as they hunt a home quarter-final.
Ulster v Sharks
Date: Saturday, 26 AprilVenue: Kingspan Stadium, UlsterSA Time: 20:35Referee: Ben Whitehouse
TV: SuperSport
Sharks: 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Ethan Hooker, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Jordan Hendrikse, 9 Jaden Hendrikse, 8 Siya Kolisi, 7 Vincent Tshituka, 6 James Venter, 5 Jason Jenkins, 4 Eben Etzebeth (captain), 3 Vincent Koch, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Ox Nche.
Replacements: 16 Fez Mbatha, 17 Ntuthuko Mchunu, 18 Hanro Jacobs, 19 Manu Tshituka, 20 Phepsi Buthelezi, 21 Bradley Davids, 22 Siya Masuku, 23 Jurenzo Julius.
The Sharks will back themselves to create an upset against Ulster after edging Edinburgh 18-17 in Scotland last week, and with the Durban side well above the Northern Irish on the standings with three more victories so far to add to a marginally better attack and defensive record.
They will also take some encouragement from the fact that Ulster have suffered three defeats at home this season, which makes a victory a real possibility if they play to their full potential.
Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211.
Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
IOL News
34 minutes ago
- IOL News
Bulls and Sharks clash in epic URC semi-final derby showdown
Ruan Nortjé, captain of the Bulls, won't have to contest with Eben Etzebeth in the lineouts after the latter was ruled out of the URC semi-final at Loftus Versfeld. Image: BackpagePix The scene is set for a spectacular second-last round of the United Rugby Championship (URC) and at least one South African team will again contest the final this year. It will be the fourth season in a row where a local franchise features, which underpins the strength of SA rugby sides in the European tournament. Who will the team in the final be? That will be answered on Saturday evening in Pretoria. 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 ✕ The Bulls will host the Sharks at Loftus Versfeld (6.15 pm start) and with home ground as their ally and news that Bok lock Eben Etzebeth is out of the semis, the hosts are in the inside lane to make it through to another final. They can still host a final should defending champions, the Glasgow Warriors, triumph over Irish giants in Leinster in the early match of the day. However, the Sharks are no pushovers and the way they've been grinding out wins to stay in the hunt for a first URC trophy should have caught the attention of the Bulls. While they have not played the prettiest of rugby and they dragged their opponents to the gutters to beat them there, the Durbanites know how to fight. That determination will be crucial at Loftus and without Etzebeth. The Sharks without Eben Etzebeth and Jason Jenkins against the Bulls on Saturday in the #URC semis #BULvSHA via @IOLsport - — Leighton Koopman (@Leighton_K) June 6, 2025
The Star
an hour ago
- The Star
Blow for Sharks as Eben Etzebeth ruled out of URC semi-final against Bulls
Springbok colossus Eben Etzebeth is out of Saturday's United Rugby Championship (URC) semi-final against the Bulls and in a further setback, fellow Bok lock Jason Jenkins is also injured. Etzebeth and Jenkins were the starting second row for last week's dramatic quarter-final defeat of Munster in Durban, but both picked up injuries in the bruising encounter. The Sharks' lock pairing for the trip to Loftus Versfeld is Emile van Heerden and Corne Rahl. Etzebeth has had an injury-plagued season and his absence against the Bulls is unfortunate. The most capped Springbok of all time, Etzebeth's experience, inspiration and brute strength would have been a vital tool for the Sharks against the in-form Bulls pack. The 33-year-old missed five months of rugby because of a concussion injury and then picked up a hamstring injury at a Bok alignment camp in March. He has been excellent for the Sharks since making his comeback last month, earning two Player of the Match awards. Springbok captain Siya Kolisi will captain the side in Etzebeth's absence. Kolisi is at No 8 and apart from the new second row, the pack is unchanged. Coach John Plumtree has also been able to field the same backline that played against Munster. There is a fresh backline face on the bench in the form of Jurenzo 'The Boogie Man' Julius. He is back from injury and replaces Francois Venter. The lock cover on the bench is Deon Slabbert, the 2m, 117kg former Pumas lock. Plumtree also has the option of moving flank Vincent Tshituka to lock during the game, and bringing on Phepsi Buthelezi. Sharks team 15 Aphelele Fassi 14 Ethan Hooker 13 Lukhanyo Am 12 Andre Esterhuizen 11 Makazole Mapimpi 10 Jordan Hendrikse 9 Jaden Hendrikse 8 Siya Kolisi (captain) 7 Vincent Tshituka 6 James Venter 5 Emile van Heerden, 4 Corne Rahl 3 Vincent Koch 2 Bongi Mbonambi 1 Ox Nche. Bench: 16 Fez Mbatha 17 Ntuthuko Mchunu 18 Hanro Jacobs 19 Deon Slabbert 20 Phepsi Buthelezi, 21 Bradley Davids 22 Jurenzo Julius 23 Yaw Penxe.
IOL News
an hour ago
- IOL News
URC Awards: Feinberg-Mngomezulu wins but Wilco Louw was the real workhorse
The Stormers Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu won the URC SA Player of the year Award on Thursday ahead of the Bulls' Wilco Louw and Cameron Hanekom. Photo: Backpagepix Image: Backpagepix Recently, I had the privilege of meeting Roger Federer. It was a big moment for me, as I have always admired the Swiss tennis maestro, and on a list of top sporting heroes, he surely would be among my leading considerations. For years, rather tongue-in-cheek, I have claimed him as a South African, due to his ties to this country through his mother. Over many matches before his retirement, I watched his skills and talents in awe, and have even received a threat or two from those who supported his opponents, due to a sense of humour failure and a lack of comprehensive reading on their part. Bulls prop Wilco Louw. Photo: Backpagepix Image: Backpagepix I had known for weeks that I would get to meet the 20-time Grand Slam winner, so I had plenty of time to consider how I would approach him. I would be calm, collected, suave, and nonchalant – just another meeting with a normal human being, not the Super Saiyan tennis god that he is. What followed, as I struck out my hand to shake his, was a jumbled, incomprehensible mess that Federer was kind enough to ignore. Yes, in that moment, I was star-struck – overwhelmed that I had finally met the man, the myth, the legend. He was taller than I expected and extolled charisma up the wazoo. Indeed, it was almost tangible. On first meeting Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu last year, at his initial call-up to the Springboks, similar vibes were being transmitted. The 23-year-old is well spoken, self-assured in his abilities, and proud of them. Those in attendance who interacted with him on that first occasion, left Pretoria with an impressed nod, mentioning to each other what a pleasure he was to interview. There is no doubt that Feinberg-Mngomezulu is going places. He will arguably be one of the finest rugby players this country has ever produced. I would go so far as to say he will be a generational talent. He has developed precocious skills no player of his age should possess, and has already done some truly special things with the spheroid. He will do more special things in the future. But for him to win the United Rugby Championship (URC) SA Player of the Year award on Thursday is not totally agreeable. I recall in 2002, Sir Ian McKellen had been nominated for the Oscar as Best Supporting Actor for his turn as Gandalf in The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring. I was convinced he would win the honour, and was rather miffed – to this day, mind you – that he lost out to Jim Broadbent for Iris. McKellen was, in my estimation, more deserving of the award – just as Wilco Louw is more deserving of this year's URC Player of the Year accolade. I am not faultless in all of this either – I was dazed and confused when the vote for the player award was requested and failed to cast my preference. My bad ... Nonetheless, Feinberg-Mngomezulu has played only 10 matches in the URC this season. Prop Louw is already on 16 – not including the semi-final against the Sharks on Saturday, and the possible final he could play a week later. By the time the URC is finished, he could have played around 1 000 minutes of rugby. Feinberg-Mngomezulu has battled with injuries, had a sub-par performance for the Stormers in a crucial quarter-final against Glasgow Warriors, and completed the season having played 572 minutes. According to the URC stats, Louw is the 15th best player in their Top 100 metric, while the Stormers utility-back did not even breach that list. Feinberg-Mngomezulu has had his moments, for sure, but Louw's input into the Bulls has been consistent, undeniable, inevitable and invaluable. The award was decided by the media and stakeholders of the tournament, and it strikes me that much like my interaction with Federer, we were overawed by the new, shiny item – to the detriment of the grizzled, rough-hewn gem that is Louw. Moreover, it is another case of valuing the sexy, aesthetically pleasing department of rugby union over the physical input and dark arts of the forwards. In short, it's great stuff for Feinberg-Mngomezulu, but Louw? He was robbed … McKellen style. As for Federer — well, at least I have a photo to immortalise the moment. Awkward, of course, but memorable all the same.
