John Plumtree reflects on tough, but improved season for Sharks
Despite enjoying their best season in the URC to date, there is still a sense the Sharks underperformed, with the talent at their disposal.
Sharks coach John Plumtree has presided over an improved, but still unsatisfactory season with the union. Picture: Steve Haag Sports/Gallo Images
The Sharks' season came to an abrupt end over the weekend when they were dumped out of the United Rugby Championship (URC) at the semifinal stage by fierce rivals, the Bulls, at Loftus.
It ended a much improved second season at the helm for coach John Plumtree, but many critics were still unhappy due to the Springbok firepower that the union have at their disposal.
In the semifinal played at Loftus on Saturday evening the Sharks boasted a team featuring Rugby World Cup winners Ox Nche, Bongi Mbonambi, Vincent Koch, Siya Kolisi, Jaden Hendrikse, Andre Esterhuizen, Lukhanyo Am and Makazole Mapimpi.
They also had Aphelele Fassi and Jordan Hendrikse in the starting XV, and Ntuthuko Mchunu and Phepsi Buthelezi on the bench, who have all played for the Boks in the past year.
They were however missing their captain and Bok enforcer Eben Etzebeth, along with Trevor Nyakane and Grant Williams who would have added even more Bok firepower to their stocks.
Despite the wealth of experience and talent at their fingertips, the Sharks still finished third on the log and dropped out in the semis.
But it is still a major improvement after a disastrous previous campaign that saw them finish 14th on the URC log, although they picked up the Challenge Cup trophy to slightly salvage that season.
Tough balance
Plumtree explained that even though they have immense talent in the group, it was still tough to get the balance right over a long season, in which they missed players on international duty at stages and had to rest them as well.
'It has been a tough season. I learnt a lot in what was my second season of the URC. There were really tough periods of the season, especially after the November internationals when we had tired Boks coming back,' explained Plumtree.
'How we can compete in the tournament with players who have just played 14 internationals is a challenge. And then after Christmas, they go through their Springbok resting, and it's about navigating that period with the rest of the team.
'We also had 18, 19 injuries at one stage, which was a crisis. When you do finally get everyone back in, it's about where you're sitting on the log and how you can progress in two tournaments (the URC and EPCR).
Looking ahead Plumtree highlighted the need to build depth at the union, with players who will be able to adequately fill in when their star Springboks are unavailable.
'The key for us is to make sure we have depth in our squad to be able to do well without Springbok players. We showed that this year but it is going to be a continuing challenge for us to keep strengthening the squad,' said Plumtree.
'I think we have done really well with the players we had and we have managed to pick up points. Coaching the Sharks is not for the fainthearted and it keeps me awake at night.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The South African
11 hours ago
- The South African
Springboks vs Barbarians through the years
The Springboks will make history when they host the Barbarians in a much-anticipated Test match at Cape Town Stadium on 28 June. It will be the famous invitational side's first Test played on South African soil. It will also mark the world champions' first meeting with the BaaBaas since November 2016. The Barbarians consist of players who ply their trade in the United Rugby Championship, French Top 14, English Premiership, Super Rugby, and the Japanese League. The team is coached by former Wallabies mentor Robbie Deans. South Africa have faced the Barbarians on nine occasions, claiming three victories to the Barbarians' four. Their last meeting nine years ago ended in a draw. With a packed international calendar ahead, a win over the Barbarians will get the Boks' season off to a perfect start. 26 January 1952 : Barbarians 3 – 17 Springboks, Cardiff Arms Park, Cardiff 4 February 1961: Barbarians 6 – 0 Springboks, Cardiff Arms Park, Cardiff 31 January 1970: Barbarians 12 – 21 Springboks, Twickenham, London 3 December 1994: Barbarians 23 – 15 Springboks, Landsdowne Road, Dublin 10 December 2000: Barbarians 31 – 41 Springboks, Millennium Stadium, Cardiff 1 December 2007: Barbarians 22 – 5 Springboks, Twickenham, London (End of Year Test) 4 December 2010: Barbarians 26 -20 Springboks, Twickenham, London (End of Year Test) 5 November 2016: Barbarians 31 – 31 Springboks, Wembley Stadium, London 28 June: Barbarians vs SA – Cape Town Stadium, Cape Town 5 July: SA vs Italy – Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria12 July: SA vs Italy – Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Gqeberha 19 July: SA vs Georgia – Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit
The Citizen
12 hours ago
- The Citizen
Chicken feet and champions: Kolisi, Mapimpi and Am enjoy Mzansi's fave dish
On a boys day out, Springbok captain Siya Kolisi decides to kick back with his teammates. The setting is just as epic as the man himself. Recently, Siya Kolisi and fellow Sharks and Bok players Makazole Mapimpi and Lukhanyo Am took a much-needed break from the pressures of the rugby field. They indulged in a classic South African meal, chicken feet and dombolo (steamed bread). It was the perfect occasion for Siya, Makazole and Lukhanyo to enjoy Mzansi's favourite dish together. What started as a simple meal turned into a celebration of culture, food and camaraderie. There was also a side of humour and some playful banter from fans and teammates. Traditional feast in Durban: the Xhosa way Chicken feet and dombolo. Picture via Instagram The Rugby World Cup winners headed to Fresh Food with Thuladu, a popular eatery in the heart of Durban. It serves up traditional South African dishes, like the ones Kolisi, Mapimpi and Am relish. The setting was relaxed, with the men indulging in a hearty meal while sharing stories, laughter and, of course, a touch of rugby banter. But it wasn't just the food that caught everyone's attention. It was the bond between these Xhosa men that was highlighted when they relished the traditional dish. Siya, known for his strong connection to his Xhosa heritage, posted a picture of the meal with a caption that included their Xhosa clan names: Zikhali, uQhinebe, and oGqwashu. To netizens who saw the post, it felt like a reunion of the Dyani's, a term that means 'big man', 'grown man,' or, as locals say, 'Grootman'. This was a nod to those who have successfully gone through the rites of passage in Xhosa culture. For many, it was a powerful moment of shared identity and respect for their ancestry. Makazole Mapimpi and Lukhanyo Am: the silent giants While Siya may be the captain, his teammates Makazole Mapimpi and Lukhanyo Am are no strangers to the spotlight. Mapimpi is often seen as the quiet, stoic but most fashionable player in SA. He was at ease as he sat down with Siya and Lukhanyo. The trio looked content over plates filled with chicken feet, dombolo, and other offal delicacies. Lukhanyo is often reserved. However, you could see in the photos that he was savouring the rare opportunity for a bit of fun while standing out with Kolisi and Mampimpi. ALSO READ: WATCH: Inside Ntando Duma's magical wedding to Una Rams Offal: South African tradition of brotherhood In South Africa, meals like offal, the internal organs of animals such as the liver, heart, and kidneys, have long been associated with tradition and brotherhood. Men often share these hearty meals over good conversation, sometimes accompanied by a cold beer. It's a time-honoured tradition that goes beyond food; it's about bonding, sharing wisdom, and celebrating life. The meal Kolisi, Mampimpi and Am enjoyed was a reflection of their heritage and the unity they feel as teammates. South African captain Siya Kolisi lifts the trophy at the Rugby World Cup 2023 final between New Zealand and South Africa at the Stade de France on 28 October 2023 in Paris, France. Picture:Siya's Instagram post didn't go unnoticed. Fellow celebrities were quick to jump into the comments with playful jabs and cheers. One follower affectionately called them 'Desiney's Child,' a nod to the legendary R&B group, Destiny's Child, all while enjoying Mzansi's prescribed dish with Mampimpi and Lukhanyo. Another teammate, Eben Etzebeth, couldn't resist poking fun, quipping, 'Really nailed it with that food, yummy.' The comments were full of love, proving that the gents picked the right dish for a fun boys' day out. ALSO READ: SA's Amapiano DJ duo TxC wins BET award From the looks of it, this meal wasn't just about satisfying their hunger. It was a chance for these athletes to recharge, bond, and celebrate their shared history. In the end, it was the perfect choice for a boys' day out, illustrated beautifully by Kolisi, Am and Mapimpi enjoying Mzansi's favourite dish.
IOL News
13 hours ago
- IOL News
Wilco Louw one of three reasons Bulls can upset Leinster in URC final
Wilco Louw has been in outstanding form for the Bulls, and has been rewarded with a Springbok call-up. Photo: BackpagePix Image: BackpagePix The Bulls are outright underdogs for Saturday's United Rugby Championship final against Leinster in Dublin (6pm SA time start) – but that doesn't mean that Jake White's team have no chance. In fact, here are three factors that are actually in the Bulls' favour to cause an almighty upset at Croke Park... 1 Andrea Piardi as the referee At first, you might think that Italian official Andrea Piardi's appointment as the final referee on Tuesday – his third title decider in a row – might work against the Bulls. The 32-year-old was the man in charge in last season's 21-16 victory for Glasgow Warriors at Loftus Versfeld – and Munster's win over the Stormers in Cape Town in 2023 – and White was unhappy with some of his decisions. 'It's twice in a row now where the referees (Piardi) let the away side win,' White said afterwards. 'In fact, it's three times – last year, Munster won in Cape Town, Glasgow won in Munster, we won in Leinster, and this referee let the away team win. So maybe, next year I'll ask when we play away, that I want him to try and ref us!' So, while match officials try to be objective, there is no doubt that the home crowd does have an influence in a match as big as a final. Normally the hosts would be on the right side of a few tight calls, but it seems it's the opposite with Piardi. White's words about last year's final defeat will surely be in the Italian's head, and he will be keen to ensure that it's a fair contest and that Leinster aren't getting any undue rewards. 2 Props with a point to prove Bulls props Jan-Hendrik Wessels and Wilco Louw have been sensational this season. Louw has been so good that most SA fans – perhaps even a few Stormers ones – voiced their displeasure with Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu being chosen as the SA URC Player of the Season last week instead of the Bulls No 3. The giant tighthead has been a destructive presence in the scrums, and gets around the field as well with his carries and tackles to emerge as the clear front-runner to start for the Springboks in 2025. Wessels hasn't been far behind, with his powerful surges around the fringes and outstanding work-rate on defence complementing his scrummaging work and versatility to fill in at hooker. In contrast, Leinster are missing injured Irish tighthead stalwart Tadhg Furlong, while loosehead prop Andrew Porter infamously said two years ago that 'It's about getting that fifth star (Champions Cup titles) on the jersey. You don't see many URC or PRO14s or whatever you have on the jersey'. With Leinster having tripped up at the Champions Cup semi-final hurdle once more this season, how motivated will Porter be for the URC final? 3 Hunger for glory The Bulls' loss to Glasgow in front of a packed 50,000-plus crowd at Loftus Versfeld really hurt them. They had roared into a 13-0 first-half lead, only to watch their advantage being whittled away by Franco Smith's band of Warriors. Bok World Cup-winning mentor Jake White even questioned himself and his approach in the aftermath, noting that 'I myself lost a Super Rugby final against the Chiefs (with the Brumbies), lost a Rainbow Cup in Benetton, lost two URC finals...' Despite not having a dynamic Bok wing Kurt-Lee Arendse available this time – as well as losing injured star No 8 Cameron Hanekom in the semi-final – the Bulls are undoubtedly a more well-rounded side this season. They have produced some outstanding performances away from home, most notably beating Munster and Glasgow in Europe. So, a packed Croke Park won't be a daunting environment for this group of Bulls. They will also enjoy being the underdogs in Dublin, despite winning the 2022 and 2024 semi-finals against Leinster. If they can avoid the unnecessary yellow cards from the semi-final and put their best foot forward, they have every chance of emerging victorious on Saturday – at long last putting to bed the defeats in the 2022 and 2024 finals.
