Latest news with #JasonJenkins
IOL News
2 days ago
- Sport
- IOL News
Odds on Mike: Bulls to win a close one at Loftus, Leinster to beat Glasgow in URC semi-finals
And then there were four. Nearly six months of URC action brought us to last week's pulsating quarter-finals, and now it is down to Leinster versus Glasgow and the Bulls versus the Sharks. With the home side likely to get front-foot ball, the Bulls backs should do the rest on the scoreboard. But I'm not predicting a high-scoring affair. The Sharks have a knack for pulling expansive teams down into the trenches for an arm wrestle. The challenge for the Sharks became a whole lot tougher when they lost their all-Springbok second row of Eben Etzebeth and Jason Jenkins to injury. Etzebeth is the best lock in the world and Jenkins has been playing the quality of rugby that earned him Springbok colours. The Sharks' pack was always going to be under pressure from their in-form Bulls counterpart and with a makeshift second row, it is going to be a big ask for the visitors to gain parity up front. Betting angle The bookies have the Bulls as strong favourites. To back them simply as winners will mean that for every R100 you put down, you will get R28 back at Hollywoodbets. And if you fancy the Sharks to pull off an upset, R100 will get you a R280 reward. The wise bet is to back the Bulls, but rather on the handicap than just on the scoreboard. I like the minus-7.5 handicap, which means the Bulls must win by at least 7.5 points for the bet to pay out. In this case, R100 will win you R90 plus your stake back. Alternatively, you can take the Sharks on the plus handicap. I think a tasty option is the plus-11.5 handicap. This means the Sharks won't lose by more than 11.5 points. I think this will happen. Finals are close-scoring affairs. R100 will win you R50. Leinster v Glasgow in Dublin, 3.45pm Much has been said about Leinster being chokers and an aging team because of their recent history of losing big games. I'm not so sure this Leinster team is over the hill just yet, and the recent losses will have rid them of the complacency which I think has been their problem. A correctly-focused, hungry Leinster team should win at a packed Aviva Stadium. That said, the Warriors shocked Pretoria last year when they beat the Bulls in the URC final. They are a champion team and well-coached by South African Franco Smith. They were exceptional in their quarter-final demolition of the Stormers in the quarter-finals. Betting angle Glasgow are massive underdogs and R100 on them to win will net you R580. The same amount on Leinster will win you a paltry R12. So that is not worth it. I reckon the home team will win, but by how much? The handicap is the way to go in this game and a good option is the minus 13.5 handicap. For that to pay out, Leinster need to win by more than 13.5. That is basically two converted tries. R100 will reward you with an R85 profit.
The South African
30-05-2025
- Sport
- The South African
Sharks call on Lucky Am to bolster Bok stocks for Munster showdown
All eyes will be on Kings Park this Saturday as the Sharks take on Munster in what promises to be a thrilling Vodacom United Rugby Championship quarter-final showdown. Head coach John Plumtree has rung the changes ahead of the high-stakes clash, making five key adjustments to the side that secured victory over Scarlets in the final round of pool play. In the forward pack, Jason Jenkins returns to the starting Sharks' XV, swapping places with Emile van Heerden in the second row. James Venter also reclaims his place in the starting lineup, recovering from a neck injury sustained against the Ospreys to replace Tino Mavesere at flank. The biggest name returning for the Sharks, however, is two-time Rugby World Cup-winning Springbok captain Siya Kolisi. After sitting out the Scarlets game due to national team rest protocols, Kolisi is back at No. 8, taking over from Phepsi Buthelezi, who shifts to the bench. The backline sees two major inclusions, with flyhalf Jordan Hendrikse stepping in for the injured Siya Masuku and Lukhanyo Am returning at outside centre. Am, another double World Cup winner, will make his 100th international appearance for the Sharks, replacing Jurenzo Julius, who is a surprise omission from the match-day squad. Sharks captain Eben Etzebeth believes the tight encounters leading up to the playoffs have been ideal preparation for the pressure-cooker environment of knockout rugby. 'We've won a few close games this year, which is something we weren't doing last season,' Etzebeth said. 'Those experiences give us confidence. Hopefully we won't need to make it that close again on Saturday, but if we do, we're ready.' Etzebeth is also under no illusions about the challenge posed by Munster. 'They're a top-quality side. Discipline and kicking will probably be the difference on the day—it's going to be very close.' Despite injuries and Springbok rest policies, several rising stars have stepped up. Plumtree has praised the squad depth, highlighting standout performances from players like Ethan Hooker and a consistently strong front row off the bench. 'A lot of our young guys have grown this season. The more they play, the more confident they get—and they've shown they can perform at this level,' he said. Kick-off for the quarter-final clash is scheduled for 6:30 PM on Saturday at Hollywoodbets Kings Park. 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 (c), 3 Vincent Koch, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Ox Nche. Bench: 16. Fez Mbatha, 17 Ntuthuko Mchunu, 18 Hanro Jacobs, 19 Emile van Heerden, 20 Phepsi Buthelezi, 21 Bradley Davids, 22 Francois Venter, 23 Yaw Penxe. 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 Blueskyfor the latest news.
IOL News
30-05-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Lukhanyo Am to earn 100th cap in Sharks' quarter-fianl against Munster, Kolisi back at No 8
Lukhanyo Am Centre Lukhanyo Am is fit again and will hope to spark the Sharks' attack against Munster. Photo: Steve Haag Sports In a change to the tight five, Jason Jenkins and Emile van Heerden swap jerseys in the lock position, with the former starting in place of the latter this week. Am is over a hamstring injury and replaces youngster Jurenzo Julius, while Bok captain Siya Kolisi takes over from Phepsi Buthelezi after being rested for the match against the Scarlets. Springbok centre Lukhanyo Am makes a welcome return to the Sharks team to play Munster in a United Rugby Championship quarterfinal on Saturday and earns his 100th cap in the process. Lukhanyo Am x Makazole Mapimpi 🦈🔥 The Hollywoodbets Sharks finish Cardiff off with an excellent team move 👇 #VURC Openside flank James Venter returns to action after sustaining a neck injury against the Ospreys and takes over from Tino Mavesere. In an important change at flyhalf, Jordan Hendrikse has recovered from a back injury to replace Siya Masuku, who suffered a hamstring injury in the Scarlets match to leave the Sharks thin in the position. Although the Sharks have played in some tight games in the run-in to the knock-outs, captain Eben Etzebeth admits that this has been good preparation for this stage of the tournament. 'We've seen in the past that play-offs can be tight affairs, and winning tight games is something we've done a bit of this year,' he explains. 'Last year when we ended up lower on the log, we lost those tight games, but this year we've turned things around and won them. 'We're used to those kinds of games, but hopefully we don't make it that tight on Saturday.' While his side is filled with Springboks, Munster come to Durban having proved their worth over the years and Etzebeth is under no illusions as to what is coming. 'They're a quality side and it's probably going to come down to discipline on the day and who has the better goal-kicker. It's going to be a very close game.' 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 7 Vincent Tshituka 6 James Venter 5 Jason Jenkins, 4 Eben Etzebeth (captain) 3 Vincent Koch 2 Bongi Mbonambi 1 Ox Nche. Bench: 16 Fez Mbatha 17 Ntuthuko Mchunu 18 Hanro Jacobs 19 Emile van Heerden 20 Phepsi Buthelezi, 21 Bradley Davids 22 Francois Venter 23 Yaw Penxe.
IOL News
09-05-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Gallant Ospreys no match for Sharks
It has been a long time since it was easy on the eye for Sharks supporters, but their team keeps on winning in the United Rugby Championship, and last night, the Ospreys made the Durbanites sweat bullets before perishing 26-10. There is one round remaining in the URC league — the Sharks host the Scarlets next week — and the KZN men continue to be dark horses for the title. They have yet to find the button for the afterburners, yet grind out win after win, and it could well be that they go from gritty to pretty when it matters most — in the imminent playoffs, where massive local rivals the Stormers are likely visitors to The Tank. This was a match where forgotten Springbok lock Jason Jenkins stirred into lively action and reminded Rassie Erasmus that he is alive and kicking. Andre Esterhuizen, that immense slab of prime Klerksdorp beef, was at his bludgeoning best. On current form, he is putting serious pressure on incumbent Bok No 12, Damian de Sharks had stated that they wanted a strong start, and they were bright enough in the opening exchanges, yet they were penalised by referee Andrea Piardi at a series of breakdowns. The Italian has not enjoyed the best media coverage since some bizarre decisions in the Bulls' defeat of Munster in Limerick a few weeks ago, but let's rather give credit to the work of the sole Welsh British Lion, Jac Morgan, the excellent openside flank. Ospreys flyhalf Dan Edwards booted his team ahead in the second minute but they would not trouble the scorers again in the first half. The first time the Sharks put together a meaningful series of phases, they pressurised the defence and Jenkins ploughed over for the opening try. Not long after, the Ospreys scrumhalf Kieran Hardy caught the Sharks fast asleep when he darted down the blindside touchline, dabbed a kick to the corner, but knocked on in gathering the ball for the touchdown. The Sharks were lucky. The Sharks were further exposed when they surprisingly conceded a scrum penalty on 20 minutes, despite a tight five of Springboks. The Sharks struggled to get their game going, and while it is easy to point fingers at them, the truth is the Ospreys are better than South Africans think. There is an automatic summation that because the Welsh national team has lost 18 games on the trot, all of their teams are useless, and that is rubbish. There was a strange moment in the 33rd minute when it was announced that Eben Etzebeth was coming off, but the big fellow seemed not to have gotten the memo and remained on the field. However, just before half time, it was a golf cart that took him from the field to raise yet another alarm about the big man's health. He was replaced by Manu Tshituka, who played his socks off. He and his brother, flank Vincent, have recently earned their South African citizenship (they were born in the Congo), and both are on Bok coach Rassie Erasmus's greater radar. It was with desperation that the disjointed home team plugged away at the Ospreys towards the end of the first half, and, almost inevitably, it was go-to-man Esterhuizen who powered over the line. The Sharks led 14-3 at halftime and they would have been happy with that after 40 minutes of tough, uncompromising action. It took 15 more minutes of restless rugby before the Sharks nailed their third try, with winger Ethan Hooker profiting from his opposite number's failure to negotiate an up-and-under. Hooker, the ever-willing old boy of Westville Boys High, gathered the ball and scored a try deserved of his non-stop efforts. With 10 minutes remaining, industrious replacement flank Phepsi Buthelezi profited from a good take in the air by Makazole Mapimpi, and he sped unopposed to the tryline. Scorers Sharks — Tries: Jason Jenkins, Andre Esterhuizen, Ethan Hooker, Phepsi Buthelezi. Conversions: Siya Masuku (3). Ospreys — Penalties: Dan Edwards. Try: Sam Parry. Conversions: Edwards
Wales Online
09-05-2025
- Sport
- Wales Online
Ospreys play-off hopes take major knock in Sharks defeat
Ospreys play-off hopes take major knock in Sharks defeat The Ospreys went down to a 29-10 defeat against the Sharks in South Africa The Ospreys suffered defeat in South Africa against the Sharks (Image: Huw Evans Picture Agency ) Ospreys look set to miss out on the United Rugby Championship play-offs after they were beaten 29-10 by Sharks in Durban. The Welsh side led through an early Dan Edwards penalty, and after Sharks forward Jason Jenkins scored the contest's first try, Ospreys replied with scrum-half Kieran Hardy crossing having run on to his own grubber kick. But the effort was ruled out via a TMO review, with there deemed to have been a knock on, and the hosts – who lost Eben Etzebeth to injury just before the half-hour – went on to extend their lead with Andre Esterhuizen and Ethan Hooker touching down either side of the break. Ospreys subsequently made it 21-10 around the hour, Sam Parry going over after a driving maul. Sharks swiftly hit back, though, with a Phepsi Buthelezi try, and Siya Masuku added a penalty in the final stages. While Ospreys were left three points outside the top eight, Sharks have sealed a place in the top four to give them a home fixture in the quarter-finals that follow next week's final round of regular-season matches. Article continues below Sharks (14) 29 Tries: Jenkins, Esterhuizen, Hooker, Buthelezi Cons: Masuku 2, Fassi Pen: Masuku Ospreys (3) 10 Try: Parry Con: Edwards Pen: Edwards Sharks: Aphelele Fassi; Ethan Hooker, Jurenzo Julius, Andre Esterhuizen, Makazole Mapimpi; Siya Masuku, Jaden Hendrikse; Dian Bleuler, Bongi Mbonambi, Vincent Koch, Eben Etzebeth (capt), Jason Jenkins, James Venter, Vincent Tshituka, Siya Kolisi. Replacements: Fez Mbatha, Ntuthuko Mchunu, Hanro Jacobs, Emmanuel Tshituka, Phepsi Buthelezi, Bradley Davids, Francois Venter, Yaw Penxe. Ospreys: Jack Walsh; Daniel Kasende, Evardi Boshoff, Keiran Williams, Keelan Giles; Dan Edwards, Kieran Hardy; Gareth Thomas, Dewi Lake, Tom Botha, Will Spencer, Adam Beard, James Ratti, Jac Morgan (capt), Morgan Morse. Replacements: Sam Parry, Steffan Thomas, Ben Warren, Will Griffiths, Harri Deaves, Reuben Morgan-Williams, Owen Williams, Iestyn Hopkins. Article continues below Referee: Gianluca Gnecchi (WRU) Assistant referees: Morne Ferreira & Hanru van Rooyen (SARU) TMO: Andrea Piardi (FIR)
