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Irish Daily Mirror
a day ago
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
Munster need a specific 2024/25 'first' if they are to beat Sharks
Munster have been living life on the cliff edge these past few weeks. The penultimate URC game with Ulster was the equivalent of a knockout game when it came to quarter-final qualification as was the last game against Benetton. Positive results, 38-20 and 30-21 respectively, hoisted the Reds to a sixth place finish, the single most important detail being it guaranteed Champions Cup next season. Sixth meant an away quarter-final and Munster duly found themselves in with Sharks, ostensibly the post-New Year form team in the URC and a third knockout game in succession. Munster have not won three games in a row at any point this season. "It was an awesome challenge, I guess when we started Ulster we knew we had to win those two games to ensure we made the play-offs," says star centre Alex Nankivell of Saturday evening's game. "That's probably the exciting part of rugby, when you are in those positions you have to play a big game. Those are the ones in which you want to be involved and fortunately we did enough to get the two wins which was great and make the play-offs from the team point of view. "For myself there is a bit of nerves at times being like sh*t you think about the one-off, but we've got a good team around us in terms of management and players give you confidence, focus on the process and nail the week. "It's a bit of a cliché but you nail the week and the game takes care of itself." Nankivell is pleased to be back talking about winning again as, returning from a hamstring injury, sustained in late December, on the last day of February there was a run of five defeats in the six games previously. "It's been tough personally," admits the New Zealander. "Probably one of my more interesting years for myself and my career so far. "I guess continuity and playing and then trying to be consistent on my performance like at the end of the first round I thought I had a good pre-season and then I tearing my hamstring "I'd been out for ten weeks and then that Six Nations block where you got a game and you get a week two weeks off, you are playing with different people, new combinations. "That has been really challenging but looking back on it now the amount that you learn has been huge and you take that forward. "These last two games I've been able to string together, they always give you confidence in terms of this week and just building those minutes and those combinations, relationships on the field, can't really beat that so good learning I'm happy where I'm at the moment. By contrast the Durban-based Sharks have won eight of the last URC 10 games, the shock 7-10 reverse against Leinster's 'seconds' five games back their last defeat. It was, coincidentally, their only defeat at home in the competition this season. "Transition is going to be huge for us so, our ability, our speed to connect those moments are massive but for us like I said they have a load of world class players, a lot of Springboks but a lot of opportunities. "If we work hard in our transition, when we are transitioning in attack and we feel we can put them under pressure around their speed to set and try and play around them. "Hopefully they will snowball during the game and things will present themselves later in the game. "So, working hard, getting into position quickly and being ambitious to take opportunities when they present themselves." The opportunity is there to make the semi-finals, it's all to play for. "The Sharks are traditionally a very strong team. That hasn't been touched on yet by the coach or anything. I'm not sure if it will be because it's a quarter-final and, in my opinion, if you start thinking about that too much . "It might be in the back of your mind and it might create a bit of pressure for the lads so we are purely just focused on our preparation and then winning the quarterfinal and getting another week in the semi-final so. "Honestly if we get our stuff right, I genuinely believe we can beat them." Beating Sharks on home soil will be a tough task and to see Ian Costello namecheck Nankivell as a key part of the Munster collective, as a 'great leader'. 'It was nice to hear firstly but, to be honest, I wouldn't have ever looked at myself like that. "It's something I'll dive a bit deeper into over the next the summer I'd say. Talk to a few people who have been in those positions before because it is hugely important for a team to be successful is to have good leaders. I'll try to find my own way of doing that. "I kinda feel like I'm part of the cog but I'll challenge people and keep people accountable. I have a different experience coming from a different place that plays a different style of rugby so I feel like can be helpful at times, just challenging ideas and getting people to think outside of the box. I guess I've never really thought about, well I've thought about leadership obviously and how I can influence people but probably not to that extent. It's probably something that I've got to think about as I'm ageing a wee bit now and a few of those big guys are leaving. "We need people that are going to step up and drive standards and be leaders and show the younger guys how to be a professional so it's definitely something since that conversation that I've been thinking about in the background."
Extra.ie
3 days ago
- Sport
- Extra.ie
Munster face seismic task as Sharks find their bite
The scale of the task facing Munster this weekend is seismic, with a star-studded Sharks side providing the opposition in Durban. The province snuck into the URC playoffs by dint of that nerve-shredding final-round win against Treviso in Cork. And Munster's reward was a trip to South Africa to face a squad loaded with Test quality. The Sharks will have the likes of Eben Etzebeth, Siya Kolisi, Ox Nche, Bongi Mbonambi, Lukhanyo Am and Makazole Mapimpi on board. It's a stellar cast of World Cup winners and household names on the international beat. Siya Kolisi. Pic: INPHO/Steve Haag Sports/Steve Haag This team of superstars play their rugby at Kings Park, the 54,000-capacity stadium which was built for the 2010 Fifa World Cup. They have close ties with Roc Nation, the sports agency owned by rapper Jay Z and are bankrolled by a powerful US consortium. When you add all those pieces together, the Sharks have the makings of a superclub to rival the likes of Toulouse, Bordeaux and the Crusaders. But this Durban-based franchise have very much been less than the sum of their parts for a long time. Eben Etzebeth. Pic: INPHO/Steve Haag Sports/Darren Stewart The club finished 14th last season. A massive underachievement for a team with this level of depth and resources. The Sharks have improved massively this term, improving by 11 places to finish third in the regular season standings, just behind the Bulls and Leinster. Coached by New Zealander John Plumtree, who served as Ireland's forwards coach under Joe Schmidt for a short time, there is a sense that this sleeping giant is finally beginning to wake from its slumber. But the Sharks remain a work in progress. For all the South African heavyweights in their ranks, they haven't quite hit their stride. Sharks head coach John Plumtree. Pic: INPHO/Steve Haag Sports/Steve Haag Many of the players, including Etzebeth and fellow Springbok Andre Esterhuizen have admitted as much recently. They feel they are not far from clicking. That could spell trouble for Munster this weekend. The visitors have endured some tough days in Durban. Earlier this season, they suffered a 41-24 hammering at Kings Park. Then head coach Graham Rowntree would part ways with the province soon after. Two years ago, Munster were on the wrong end of a 12-try thriller at the same venue, the hosts prevailing 50-35 in a Champions Cup last-16 clash. Saying that, Ian Costello's side will take plenty of confidence against a Sharks outfit which can be notoriously flakey. The hosts concede a lot of turnovers and their defence can be suspect. Andre Esterhuizen. Pic: INPHO/Steve Haag Sports/Darren Stewart On paper, the Sharks should cruise into the semi-finals, but this club has a long tradition of failing to live up to the hype. Long before the South African sides arrived in this part of the world to beef up the Pro14, the Sharks were flattering to deceive in Super Rugby. They landed a fair share of Currie Cup titles but the big southern hemisphere trophy proved elusive. The Sharks reached the final four times in 1996, 2001, 2007, and 2012, yet they never got over the line. The 2007 defeat was perhaps the bitterest pill to swallow when Bryan Habana scored a stunning, last-ditch try to seal victory for the Bulls in an all-South African final. Again, the Sharks have never lacked quality in their ranks. This is a club which has produced Tendai Mtawarira, the Du Plessis brothers, Frans Steyn, Butch James, Marcel Coetzee and JP Pieterson. Former Scotland out-half Gregor Townsend and French maverick Frederik Michalak lined out in the black, grey and white kit during their stellar careers. Bryan Habana scores the winning try during the Super 14 final in 2007. Pic: Duif du Toit/Yet this club has lived in the shadow of the other South African sides. It's been the same story in the URC, with the Bulls and Stormers leading the charge, with the latter landing the inaugural URC title in 2022. The Stormers contested the 2023 final (losing to Munster) before the Bulls picked up the mantle last season, losing to Glasgow in the league final. The Sharks, meanwhile, have been floundering in mid-table mediocrity for far too long. Many observers why this club have continually failed to impress. Speaking on the Boks office show, former Springboks captain Jean de Villiers wondered if team culture is the issue.'The Sharks have fantastic individuals,' the former Stormers, Munster and South Africa centre said. 'It is not a team. You don't see that team environment.
The Citizen
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Citizen
Durban man with previous links to terrorism to run for elections
Hoomer was accused of being the kingpin behind a spate of 'bomb' scares. A KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) businessman who was previously accused of terrorism and attempted bombings at major retail stores wants to run for elections in South Africa. Farhad Hoomer has registered a new political party called the Islamic State of Africa (ISA), which he wants to be part of the political landscape in the country. Hoomer said ISA stands by Sharia Law (Islamic law), which has led people for more than 1300 years. Politics The businessman said that when he entered what he called the 'political field', he did not want to deceive people about his political ambitions. 'It was easy for me to lie and make a false name and come into politics. But, I wanted to make it clear from day one that we want Shariah Law because there is too much of injustice in the world, especially with democracy enslaving all of mankind,' Hoomer told SAFM. ALSO READ: UK warns citizens of possible terrorist attacks in South Africa, Dirco wants proof for claims 'So, we wanted to make it very clear that we want Shariah Law, because Shariah Law is here to free all of mankind.' Hoomer denied claims that ISA is linked to extremist group the Islamic State (ISIS) or the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), responsible for terrorism, despite concerns and objections that have been raised. Hoomer said people should do their own research about Shariah Law. 'Don't believe what the West has sold to the people, that you know what Shariah Law is, evil, it's terrorism. That's a lie.' Hoomer said the ISA had already started preparing for the next local government elections in 2026. Alleged terrorism In November 2022, the US Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) announced sanctions targeting four members of an Islamic State (ISIS) cell operating in South Africa, as well as eight companies they control. The Treasury Department's top terrorist finance watchdog Brian Nelson said the move blacklisted four members of Isis operating in South Africa, including Hoomer, who provided technical, financial or material support to the terrorist group. The US Treasury also designated eight companies owned, controlled, or directed by the individuals in this ISIS cell. It said the sanctions target members of the Durban, South Africa-based Isis cell allegedly led by Hoomer. Kingpin Hoomer was the alleged kingpin behind a spate of 'bomb' scares at Woolworths stores in the Pavilion, Gateway and Durban CBD in 2018. Despite serious allegations against Hoomer and 19 others, they walked out of court as free men when their case was struck off the roll as the State had failed to justify why it was not ready to proceed with the matter. The US Treasury said Hoomer had not ceased his 'terror activities' and that he had collaborated with brothers Nufael Akbar and Yunus Muhammad Akbar, who were allegedly senior members of a Durban-based ISIS cell led by Hoomer. ALSO READ: Ramaphosa hits outs at US embassy about possible terror attacks However, Hoomer has denied all allegations laid against him. 'There's no link to the extremist group. I've been charged in 2018 for this, and I've been proven innocent with no criminal records. I've been not found guilty for any of the charges. So, I don't understand why other people are bringing up something that I haven't been found guilty of.'
IOL News
6 days ago
- Sport
- IOL News
Rejuvenated Curwin Bosch set to play for Barbarians against Springboks
Former Sharks players Curwin Bosch will play for the Barbarians against the Springboks at the end of the month. Photo: Backpagepix Last week, Deans announced the first wave of his star-studded squad, which includes Ireland veterans Peter O'Mahony and Conor Murray, as well as former All Blacks captain Sam Cane. Bosch, a two-cap Springbok, is enjoying a new lease of life in France's second division with Brive. According to Rapport, Bosch has been playing with renewed freedom since leaving the Sharks at the end of the 2023 season and is on track to feature against the Boks. Barbarians coach Robbie Deans has reportedly approached former Sharks fly-half Curwin Bosch to represent the invitational side against the Springboks in Cape Town on 28 June. Now 27, Bosch played 155 matches for the Sharks across all competitions between 2016 and 2023. He earned his first Springbok cap in 2017 in a Test against Argentina in Gqeberha—his hometown and the city where he attended Grey High School. His second and final appearance came in 2018, when Rassie Erasmus selected him for a friendly against Wales in Washington. Bosch joined the Sharks straight out of school and remained with the Durban-based franchise until his move to France last year. He describes the transition as the best decision he could have made. 'It's a new environment. I had put a lot of pressure on myself to make the Springbok squad, and that was my only goal,' Bosch explained. 'It was something I thought about every day. I tried to become a perfect rugby player.' 'I wanted to do everything right, but in the process, I started doing less, because I wanted to be perfect,' he added. 'It will always be a dream to play for the Boks, but it's good that I took myself out of that South African environment. In France, I'm just playing rugby again and not overthinking everything.' Bosch has helped Brive to a strong campaign, with 20 wins from 30 matches. The club now prepares to host Montauban in next weekend's Pro D2 semi-finals. 'I have a lot of confidence, and the team has also done well. It's the first time in a long while that I've been so comfortable with my own game,' Bosch said.
IOL News
7 days ago
- Business
- IOL News
Sibusiso Myeni's Franko golfer T-shirt sells out: A fashion success story
Designer Sibusiso Myeni holding Amazulu's Franko golfer that is consistently sold out. Image: Supplied Sibusiso Myeni, the Durban-based fashion designer behind Betway Premiership side Amazulu's in-demand Franko golfer, delivered his latest batch of the popular T-shirt on Thursday afternoon, and it was sold out the following day. The trendy clothing item has repeatedly been sold out on the club's online shop, and on Thursday, it was no different despite Myeni's delivery. Amazulu players wearing the club's in-demand Franko golfers. Image: Supplied Myeni is in his second season producing the Franko golfer after being approached by Amazulu in 2023/24, when officials saw some of its players wearing designs from his label, El Dambie, which is associated with the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) geography, environmental management, and public policy Honours graduate. 'My clothing line is very popular among soccer players. I just received a call, and I suspect they were referred by one of their players, like Hendrick Ekstein. The players were very influential in getting me to work with the club,' he explained. Myeni said the batch he delivered on Thursday around 4pm was sold out by late Friday, and this was over-the-counter sales at the Moses Mabhida Stadium-based Amazulu shop and online. 'Working with Amazulu has helped me greatly in terms of growth because I used to do material for the brand based on orders, but now I am able to produce in bulk,' he said. In the battle of cotton golf T-shirts, Amazulu is up against Soweto giants Kaizer Chiefs, and Orlando Pirates, which have also teamed up with Old School to produce long-sleeve golfers. And Myeni is unfazed by the competition from the country's two most supported clubs and is ambitious. 'Everyone wants to work with well-known brands that have an international reach,' he added. Myeni said he is also open to working with other brands in and outside football and sports. 'I'm not limited to sport and El Dambie is very aligned with sports people,' the Richards Bay-born designer said. Myeni started in 2018 while studying at UKZN, where he was the best-dressed male for three consecutive years. That is when he realised he could do something about his often complemented fashion sense, as he observed that his peers could see something in the way he dressed. Myeni said he looked up to football stars such as ex-Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns star Teko Modise. He plans to complete his Master's degree in business studies after dropping out at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic. El Dambie operates from Doone House in the Durban central business district. While Amazulu's short-sleeve Franko golfer fetches R1 000, Chiefs and Pirates' range is priced between R950 and R2 500. Earlier this month, Old School co-founders and owners, Daneel and Stephan Steinmann, expressed their joy with the response from Chiefs fans at the Soweto Derby league encounter at the FNB Stadium. 'For us, it's been such an incredible honour with the largest football club in Africa,' Daneel said. [email protected]
