Latest news with #ApheleleFassi
The Herald
3 days ago
- General
- The Herald
Ice-cool Davids kicks Sharks into URC semifinal
The Sharks dug deep, some forceful play from the pack, allowed for some slick handling by the backs with Aphelele Fassi touching down next to the posts. By that stage the Sharks were well in the ascendancy, their bench making a greater impact and it was one of those, front-rower Fez Mbatha, who burst through to give the Sharks the lead. Munster, who won three playoff matches on the road when they claimed the title two years ago, showed great resolve, with veteran Conor Murray coming off the bench to land a 45m penalty to tie the scores. Extra time matched the dire first half in terms of quality, with the match eventually reaching its unusual conclusion and ensuring the Sharks have to make a trip north to Loftus next week to take on the Bulls. Scorers Sharks 24 (0): Tries — Ethan Hooker, Aphelele Fassi, Fez Mbatha. Conversions — Jaden Hendrickse (3). Penalty — Jaden Hendrickse Munster 24 (7): Tries — Calvin Nash, Josh Wycherley, Diarmuid Kilgallen. Conversions — Jack Crowley (3). Penalty — Conor Murray * Sharks won kicking contest 6-4
IOL News
28-05-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Five key players for the Sharks in their first-ever home URC quarter-final
Springbok fullback Aphelele Fassi scored nine points off the kicking tee in his previous clash, but the Sharks will hope their fullback is at his attacking best in the URC quarter-final against Munster on Saturday. Image: BackpagePix The Sharks will play their first-ever home quarter-final in the United Rugby Championship (URC) this weekend, and facing former champions Munster will be a big occasion for the home side. With a spot in the semis up for grabs, the Durbanites will need a team performance at Kings Park to shut out Munster, who have found a nick for winning play-off games away from home. Independent Newspapers looks at five Sharks players who must lead the side's quest to the top four. Two teams. Two Play-Off dreams. One epic Quarter-Final clash! 🔥 The odds? Almost too close to call — 47% v 53% for a Semi-Final spot 👀 Who's got the edge when the pressure is on? 💪@Vodacom #URC | #SHAvMUN — Vodacom United Rugby Championship (URC) (@URCOfficial_RSA) May 28, 2025 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 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. Next Stay Close ✕ Eben Etzebeth He said this week his body feels rested for the play-offs which is an unusual thing considering the long season, but he will want to make up for lost time after his spell on the sidelines when the team forged on in his absence. Etzebeth's physicality will be key for the side if they look to get over the advantage line with some big carries. Equally, he will have to light the fire on defence and at ruck time to halt the cunningness of the Irish at the breakdowns. They will look to get under his skin with off-the-ball stuff and that is where his leadership qualities will have to come through to avoid getting into the handbags. 🦈 The Shark Tank will be rocking... The stakes? Off the charts ☄️ This one's got all the ingredients for a classic 👌 🎟️ Get your tickets now and witness knock-out chaos 👉 #URC | #SHAvMUN — Vodacom United Rugby Championship (URC) (@URCOfficial_RSA) May 24, 2025 Aphelele Fassi The flying fullback is slowly but surely getting back into his stride after his injury layoff, and he was a shining light in their last game at home – a rather dull affair, but nevertheless won through his kicking boot. There should be fewer kicking responsibilities on the shoulders of Fassi and. hopefully, his attacking prowess can come to the fore. The Sharks owe their supporters an exciting attacking display. But Munster's kicking game could put him under pressure and defending against former teammate Thaakier Abrahams and Calvin Nash, Munster's wingers, could be tricky. Some wild kicks are in the running for @GILBERT_RUGBY Kick of the Month 🏉 Vote for your favourite kick below 👇#GilbertKOTM | #URC — BKT United Rugby Championship (URC) (@URCOfficial) May 27, 2025 Jaden Hendrikse The overall gameplay of the scrumhalf has been under some scrutiny over the last couple of performances, especially with the Sharks struggling to get their attack going in games where they should've had the upper hand. With his kicking game, there is nothing wrong and it's something that the side can fall back on if they are under pressure. But Durban will want to see some good tries scored on Saturday and how sharp and quick he is at the breakdown area will be important. Hendrikse owes the team a performance that can take them into the semi-finals and it's about time he delivers behind a strong pack of forwards. Ox Nche The chief destroyer of the Sharks' scrum will look to feast again against his opponents. He has been at the helm of the powerful scrum the side produces over the season and will look to carry that form into the playoffs.
The Citizen
17-05-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
URC result: Sharks see off Scarlets in low-scoring affair
No tries were scored on the day, the Sharks claiming the win through four penalties to the Scarlets' solitary drop-goal. The Sharks edged out the Scarlets 12–3 in their final United Rugby Championship league phase match, played at Kings Park Stadium on Saturday. It was a low-scoring game that saw no tries scored. Whenever either team found momentum to reach the other's 22, they lost the ball at the breakdown or spilled it forward. The Sharks especially struggled to take their opportunities despite securing more possession and territory. Ultimately, it came down to mistakes and the penalties they conceded – which proved decisive. The match held familial significance as Sharks coach John Plumtree's son, Taine, played at No 8 for Scarlets on the day. He was good in defence but had few attacking opportunities. Sharks and Scarlets both struggle Both teams lacked sharpness at the start and were still scoreless after the first 30 minutes. This, despite a few good drives from the Sharks. The home side finally put points on the board through an easy penalty kick in the 38th minute. As the hooter sounded, Scarlets flyhalf Sam Costelow slotted a drop-goal to make it 3–3 at the break. The beginning of the second half was likewise quiet, the Sharks only securing a penalty kick in the 53rd minute, which Aphelele Fassi slotted to give them a three-point lead. The Sharks brought on four substitutes in the 55th minute. But even they struggled to provide the killing edge they needed. The Sharks extended their lead with another penalty kick in the 68th minute and their fourth in the final minute. All attacks from the Scarlets faltered, and they finished the game with just their drop-goal to speak of. Scorers Sharks: Penalties – Siya Masuku 1/1, Aphelele Fassi 3/3. Scarlets: Drop-goals – Sam Costelow 1/1.
IOL News
29-04-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
SA teams are well placed for URC success after poor overall showing in the European Cups
The Bulls are South Africa's sole survivors in the European Cup competitions but better news is that all four franchises can still make the United Rugby Championship (URC) play-offs. The Sharks and Bulls are virtually certain to make the top eight in the URC given their current positions and with just four rounds to go, but the Stormers and Lions need to finish with a flourish to make it through the back door. The promising situation for the latter teams is that they are at home for the last four fixtures and three of their four opponents are in the bottom half of the 16-team URC points table. The four South African teams have unashamedly favoured the URC ahead of the Challenge Cup and even when the Bulls, Sharks and Stormers featured in the Champions Cup, their focus was more on the URC. All three sides at some point sent second-string sides for Champions Cup fixtures. For example, a Bulls B team shipped 49 points away to Castres and an under-strength Sharks side were beaten 66-12 in Bordeaux. Embarrassing as those defeats were, the Bulls are sitting pretty in third place in the URC and the Sharks are over their shoulder in fourth. That tells you where these teams' priority has been this season. Of course, it would be ideal to excel across all competitions but the South African teams simply don't have the squad depth of the French and leading Irish teams. Leinster have for years had structures in place to ensure their youth academy produces players are capable stepping up to the big stages, as we have just seen when a Leinster B team almost beat the Bulls and did beat the Sharks. 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 and Sharks don't have it as easy because two of their four games are overseas but they have some breathing space because of their high log positions. Still, the Sharks in particular, are under pressure to beat Edinburgh and Ulster away because they have a flood of rested Springboks returning for these games, including key men in Eben Etzebeth and Aphelele Fassi. The Bulls have the extra task of playing a Challenge Cup quarter-final this week before tough away matches to Munster and champions Glasgow. Coach Jake White, though, says this is a positive because the Bulls were in any case going to stay in Europe after having played in Bayonne at the weekend, to prepare for Munster. Remaining SA Fixtures Stormers (all in Cape Town) April 19: v Connacht April 26: v Benetton May 10: v Dragons May 16: v Cardiff Lions (all in Johannesburg) April 19: v Benetton April 16: v Connacht May 11: v Scarlets May 17: v Ospreys Sharks April 18: v Edinburgh in Edinburgh April 26: v Ulster in Belfast May 9: v Ospreys in Durban May 17: v Scarlets in Durban Bulls April 12: v Edinburgh in Edinburgh (Challenge Cup quarter-final) April 19: v Munster in Limerick April 15: v Warriors in Glasgow May 10: v Cardiff in Pretoria May 17: v Dragons in Pretoria
26-04-2025
- Sport
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.
