Latest news with #JamesVenter
The Citizen
16-05-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Sharks still chasing their first 80-minute performance this season
The Sharks say they are one game away from clicking, and eye the Scarlets match as the one that could usher them into their best form. Sharks flanker James Venter believes the Durban team are one game away from clicking and becoming a 'really dangerous side'. Picture: Tyler Miller/Sportsfile via Getty Images The Sharks say they have still not had a perfect game, or even a near-perfect game, this season. However, their final United Rugby Championship (URC) league phase match, played against Welsh side Scarlets, 'could be this game for us', said flanker James Venter. The match will see the two sides, which are each on a three-game winning streak, clash at Kings Park Stadium at 7.30pm on Saturday. It will be the last regular-season match before the play-offs begin at the end of the month. Sharks can overtake Glasgow The Sharks are fourth on the URC log following their bonus-point 29–10 win over Ospreys in Durban last weekend and cannot be displaced. They can, however, overtake third-placed Glasgow Warriors, who are one point ahead but have a tough away fixture against table-toppers Leinster left. The Durban side could catch second-place Bulls on points and wins if they took all five points against Scarlets, but Bulls have 116 more points difference than them so it will be unlikely they would lose to last-placed Dragons by such a margin as to drop down the table. Scarlets are fresh from a confidence-boosting 32–19 win over the Lions in Johannesburg that followed an even more impressive 35–22 win against Leinster in Wales. They will need to draw on this form because to lose could mean they fall out of the top eight and lose their play-off spot. Sharks chase a perfect performance against Scarlets Venter said the Sharks have slowly but surely started to click over the past few weeks, with wins against Ulster and Edinburgh in Europe before the Ospreys game. 'So this is a good opportunity for us to run out there, secure the five points and continue gelling and building chemistry,' he said. 'It's easy to go out there and try tick boxes, but we still haven't had a full 80-minute performance [yet].' Venter said the Sharks' 41–24 win over Munster and 28–24 win over Glasgow were close but even then there were issues in those games that were more than a little worrying. 'We want to play 80 minutes of rugby to the standard we can. I think that's what we are looking for. We are one game away from clicking and being a really, really dangerous side.' He said the Sharks were 'putting in the hard work' and 'nailing it' in training. 'We are waiting for that 80-minute game so this could be this game for us. The Scarlets game could allow us that chemistry and that fluidity to go into the knock-outs with massive confidence.'
IOL News
15-05-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Sharks need to empty the tank and beat the Scarlets to avoid a play-off against the Stormers
The Sharks' James Venter is expecting a disruptive encounter against Scarlets on Saturday. Photo: Backpagepix Image: Backpagepix If the Sharks hold their nerve as the United Rugby Championship league phase concludes this weekend, the rewards could be substantial — a home quarter-final and semi-final are within reach. Standing in their way is Saturday's tricky fixture in Durban against the Scarlets, a Welsh side fighting for their play-off lives. However, a correctly focused Sharks team should see off the visitors and finish third on the final table — assuming, of course, that log leaders Leinster do their part and dispatch the Glasgow Warriors in Dublin. 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 ✕ It would be a major upset if the Warriors managed to topple a Leinster side still smarting from their embarrassing Champions Cup defeat at home to Northampton. Last week, the Dubliners responded by thrashing Zebre 76–5, and given the ongoing fallout from that Champions Cup capitulation, they will leave nothing in reserve against the Warriors. The form guide suggests that Leinster will top the table after this weekend's final round of fixtures, with the Bulls in second, the Sharks third, and the Stormers fifth. The Capetonians would relish a trip to Durban for a quarter-final clash. The Sharks would likely be nervous if such a match-up materialised, but at this stage, it looks as though they may (gratefully) avoid their nemesis and instead welcome former URC champions Munster. Of course, all of this depends on the weekend's matches going according to the script. A comment made by Sharks flanker James Venter on Wednesday was particularly telling. Venter, who is set to join Gloucester in the English Premiership, remarked that the Sharks are, '80 minutes from hitting their straps.' They've been winning without necessarily impressing — yet winning nonetheless — with recent victories over Edinburgh, Ulster, and the Ospreys. 'We started the season slowly, but we believe we are starting to click now and are beginning to gel and build the necessary chemistry,' said the openside flanker. 'A lot of players who were injured are now rejoining the squad. "Our week in Ulster was amazing — the second 40 minutes in that game saw us play some excellent rugby. And against the Ospreys in Durban, we built good phases and controlled the kicking game much better than we have been. We feel like we are peaking at the right time. 'In my view, we are one game away from clicking and being a really dangerous side. We are working towards that 80-minute performance, and hopefully it comes on Saturday against the Scarlets.' 'We've identified the Scarlets as a disruptive team — whether it's at the breakdown, where they hunt turnovers, or in the lineouts, where they also cause problems. We like to attack and build multi-phase play, but they have players who excel over the ball. So, we've focused a lot on our breakdown work this week.' The Sharks need no reminding that the Scarlets recently managed to beat Leinster — a feat the Sharks could not accomplish at home against an under-strength Leinster side. As such, there is no chance of complacency on Saturday night.
IOL News
14-05-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
James Venter aims to end Sharks tenure with a bang in URC title quest
James Venter Sharks flank James Venter says it has been a boyhood dream to play for the Durban side. Photo: BackpagePix Image: BackpagePix Having made the top four of the United Rugby Championships the Sharks are confident ahead of their quarter final match against Scarlets at home on Saturday (7.30pm kick-off), said flanker James Venter. Now at the tail-end of his time at the Durban side, Venter said they are confident in the rugby they've been playing and fancy their shot at the URC final. The Sharks secured a home quarter final after thumping the Ospreys 29-10, with a bonus point, at Kings Park last Friday. They will be hoping for a victory on Saturday and a Glasgow defeat at the hands of Leinster, so they can move up to third place. Venter alluded to the fact that the Sharks have smelt blood, and adjusted their mentality going into the final round accordingly. 'We want to have an 80-minute performance. That's what we are aiming towards, according to our standard and quality,' Venter said. 'I don't think that there are many teams that can keep up with us. I think that's more or less what we are striving towards. 'We know that when we finally hit that game, and when we string that 80-minute performance together, we will be a very hard team to beat. 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 ✕ Ad Loading 'The Stormers have been playing great rugby, but so have all the teams in the top eight. Whatever our road looks like to the finals, we will be prepared for that.' Venter has been with the Sharks since 2018, and decided to join the London Irish in the English Premiership next season. He said the Sharks have molded him into the player and professional he is today, and is grateful to have lived out his boyhood dream. The South Coast boy from KwaZulu-Natal wants to end his career at the Shark Tank with a bang. 'It was always a dream to play for the Sharks at a professional level. I've done that for six years. They've had a massive impact on molding me as a player and person. Just being in this environment, I think I'm privileged to have lived out a dream of mine,' Venter said. Sharks Flanker James Venter says he wants to end his tenure at his boyhood club on a high note. @IOLsport — Jehran Daniel (@JehranD) May 14, 2025 'Going into the last few games, I just want to leave a legacy, experience the fans and locals at Kings Park. My friends and family are here so I am really looking forward to it and hoping we can make it a memorable season as well,' Venter said. The Stormers and Bulls are the two other South African teams that made Round 18 of the URC tournament. The Stormers take on Cardiff in Cape Town on Saturday, while the Bulls square off against the Dragons at Loftus. During the quarter-finals, the first-ranked team faces the eighth-ranked team, the second plays seventh and so on. The tail end of the tournament will require some level of tact if the Sharks want to be successful, not just from a physical or strategic perspective, but also in understanding the referee in charge of their respective matches. The URC's laws of the game have sometimes been style as ambiguous because of the inconsistencies and varying interpretations by certain referees. James Venter says some home work on the referee will be vital going into the final stages of the URC given their ambiguous Laws.@IOLsport — Jehran Daniel (@JehranD) May 14, 2025 Given the fact that it's too late to change anything now, Venter said doing some homework on their referee will be crucial to the games. Playing the quarter final without a big name like Eben Etzebeth is also a minus for the Durban team, but Venter said they are still confident in the line up of locks available. Etzebeth was ruled out of the Starlets match due to injury. 'The subjectivity of some refs at the breakdown is definitely the grey area. I think that's what you got to play towards,' Venter explained. 'You have to see how the ref is interpreting the breakdown, where his clear lines and blurred lines are. 'I think that's rugby, you got to do your homework on the ref and be aware and make observations on the field and make a determination then.'
IOL News
13-05-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Breakdown shaping up as a key battle area as Sharks prepare to sink teeth into Scarlets
James Venter's groundwork will be key for the Sharks against Scarlets on Saturday at Kings Park. Photo: Backpagepix Image: Backpagepix The Sharks can't afford to be toothless in their final United Rugby Championship (URC) match of the regular season, at home against the Scarlets on Saturday (7.30pm kick-off), with the breakdown shaping up as a key battle area. The fourth-place Sharks, who defeated the Ospreys 29-10 in Durban at the weekend, have already secured a first URC quarter-final, at home on May 31. But they can still grab third spot if Glasgow Warriors lose against Leinster and they beat the Scarlets at Kings Park in round 18. The Welsh visitors will have even more to play for, as a loss could see them drop out of the Top 8, and play-off contention. The Sharks were workmanlike, if unspectacular, in dispatching the Ospreys in front of a decent crowd at the Shark Tank. 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 ✕ Coach John Plumtree said afterwards that he was happy with how they controlled the game, especially the improved territory and possession statistics. The tight-five struggled against the Ospreys in the scrums, however, and it is one area they will have to fix. In fact, thy Sharks will have to lift their overall performance quite a bit, judging by the Scarlets' emphatic performance against the Lions. They ran in four tries to secure a crucial bonus point and keep their play-off hopes alive. The Sharks will have to keep a close eye on fullback Blair Murray, who was in devastating form in the week when he was overlooked by the British & Irish Lions. He ran in two tries as he cut the Lions defence to shreds with his smart running lines. Yet, it was the Scarlets' dominance at the breakdown that allowed the backline, where flyhalf Sam Costelow also shone, to express themselves to devastating effect. They showed remarkable speed in isolating attackers and turning the ball over. The Sharks forwards can't afford to get caught napping by the energetic Scarlets whose rush defence also stifled the Lions. Forward Taine Plumtree, the son of the Sharks coach, was a menace all over the park, and will have to be policed if the Sharks are to emerge victorious again. Sharks centre Andre Esterhuizen has been a powerhouse and will have to once against front up against the Scarlets on Saturday. Image: BackpagePix The Durban side boasts a backline brimming with attacking talent and line breakers like Ethan Hooker, Andre Esterhuizen and Jurenzo Julius. Loose-forward James Venter offers plenty of bite in the tackle and competed well in a fiery battle at the breakdown against the Ospreys, coming up with a pair of turnovers. He could be key in countering the Scarlets threat. The absence through injury of Springbok lock Eben Etzebeth is set to be a big miss in what could be a bruising encounter. But Sharks fans will be buoyed by the news that he should be available for the play-offs. Even without one of their star players, the Sharks still have plenty of Bok power on tap to ensure they go into the play-offs on a high.
BBC News
05-03-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
South African back row Venter signs for Gloucester
South African back row James Venter will join Gloucester from Durban-based Sharks ahead of next 28-year-old began his career at Lions in Johannesburg before moving to Sharks in 2020, where he has made 46 appearances."I'm pleased to have signed for Gloucester Rugby next season. I was really impressed by the vision the club has for the future, and I'm looking forward to playing my part in that," Venter told Gloucester's website., external"I've heard amazing things about Kingsholm and the incredible support from the fans. That played a huge role in my decision to move to England. I can't wait to experience it all first-hand."Gloucester are third in the Premiership table, level on points with fourth-placed Leicester visit leaders Bath when the league returns after the completion of the Six Nations on Saturday, 22 March.
