Latest news with #JohnPlumtree
The South African
5 hours ago
- Sport
- The South African
URC: Kick off times for semi-finals
The Bulls and Sharks kept the South African flag flying in a drama-filled knockout round of the URC this past weekend, and they will now face off in an all-South African semi-final in Pretoria this Saturday. To qualify for the final four, the the Bulls had to deliver under pressure in a competitive encounter against Edinburgh in Pretoria on Saturday to register a 42-33 victory. Meanwhile, there was drama in Durban, where the Sharks and Munster drew 24-24 after 80 minutes, which forced the match into extra time, and then a penalty shootout, which the hosts won 6-4. Log-leaders Leinster will face the Glasgow Warriors in the first semi-final, at 15:45 (SA time) at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin this Saturday after they defeated the Scarlets 33-21 in the other quarter-final. The Bulls and Sharks will then clash from 18:15 at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria for a place in the Grand Final. Both home teams will be regarded as favourites going into the penultimate round of the competition, and both the Bulls and Sharks will certainly be determined to produce vastly improved performances. 'We didn't play particularly well in the first 20-30 minutes of the game, but then we got on top,' Sharks coach John Plumtree commented after the quarter-final. 'We had a couple of bad moments when they got to 21-10 and then we just clawed our way back in [to the game]. 'And going down to the kickers like that, I was just so proud of them.' Meanwhile, Bulls coach Jake White said that at least the team was consistently showing a fighting spirit. 'People think the team placed seventh must lose to the team that finishes second,' he said. 'But look at Leinster – they lost to Scarlets and us during the league phase and only just got through their quarter-final. 'We were down but got a [winning] result. Whereas the last time we played them [Edinburgh], we didn't.' 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.
The Irish Sun
a day ago
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Jack Crowley fumes in foul-mouthed rant at Sharks coach during Munster's URC loss as pundit slams ‘shocking behaviour'
JACK CROWLEY could not hide his anger as he launched into a foul-mouthed rant during Munster's dramatic defeat to the Sharks. And Premier Sports pundit - and former 3 Munster lost to the Sharks in the URC quarter-finals Credit: Shaun Roy/Sportsfile 3 Jack Crowley had a foul-mouth rant at Sharks coach John Plumtree 3 Jaden Hendrikse appears to wink at Jack Crowley while receiving treatment for cramp during the penalty shoot-out Ian Costello's men were knocked out following a Sharks were represented by Jaden and Jordan Hendrikse and Bradley Davids. Scannell was the only one of the six to miss as the Sharks ran out 6-4 winners to set up a United Rugby Championship semi-final against the Bulls for June 7. Tensions boiled over during the shoot-out however. Read More on URC It started when Jaden Hendrikse had words for Jack Crowley after converting his first kick, leading to a warning from referee Mike Adamson. He was at it game after converting his side's third, as he went to ground with a supposed cramp. As Hendrikse was receiving treatment, he was laid nearby to where Crowley was to take the next kick, and even directed a wink at the Ireland international. Despite the potential distraction, Crowley nailed the kick before directing his ire at Sharks coach John Plumtree. Most read in Rugby Union While it could not be definitively deciphered what he said, he could been seen saying "f*** off" at the end of the exchange. The jostling did not stop there, with Scannell gesturing towards the Sharks sideline after nailing a later kick of his own. Peter O'Mahony's wife jokes 'glad I gave him three mini-mes' as kids help Munster hero with garden Speaking on Premier Sports, former Munster star Alan Quinlan criticised the behaviour of the Sharks sideline. He said: "It's shocking really, the way they're behaving, the people on the sideline there. "They're obviously screaming and shouting stuff at the Munster players. "It's obviously not very sportsmanlike. Unlike Rory Scannell there to respond as well." Saturday's defeat was the final game in the Munster careers of O'Mahony and Archer will be hanging up the boots for good at the end of the season, while Murray will be continuing his career abroad. And interim Munster head coach Ian Costello paid tribute to the departing trio. He said: "Those three are exceptional people and legends of Munster rugby . 'And they've left, or they will leave, a massive legacy behind. That's going to be very difficult for us to live up to and fill, but that's what you want. 'You want somebody to leave it in a better place. And they've left the jersey in an unbelievably good place. "Now it's for everyone else in the dressing room , moving on to next year, to live up to that. 'There's also our team manager, Niall O'Donovan, who's an even longer servant of Munster rugby. It was his last game as well. "The last few weeks have been pretty special in terms of making sure those boys got a good send-off, which is why tonight was particularly disappointing.'
The Citizen
2 days ago
- Sport
- The Citizen
Plumtree says Sharks will win ugly if they have to
"Without being horrible, we are not out here to entertain anyone. We are here to win a game of rugby and just keep progressing. If we have to win ugly, then so be it." Sharks head coach John Plumtree believes discipline will be key against Munster, who are known to perform well in away knockout games. Picture: Steve Haag Sports/Gallo Images Sharks head coach John Plumtree said his side will prioritise getting across the line over playing attractive rugby as they take on Munster in their United Rugby Championship quarter-final at Kings Park on Saturday (kick-off 6.30pm). The match tees off just an hour earlier than their game against Scarlets did two weeks ago, which saw chances spilled on either side and the scoreline end a meagre 12–3 to the Durban hosts. But getting the win was all that mattered to the Sharks, who slotted all four penalty chances to claim momentum. Plumtree said the groundsman was doing his best to ensure there would not be as much dew that led to the mistakes that night, but discipline would be key again as they hoped to win their first URC quarter-final. Sharks not out to entertain 'Without being horrible, we are not out here to entertain anyone. We are here to win a game of rugby and just keep progressing. If we have to win ugly, then so be it,' the Sharks coach said. 'There's enough pressure on the team without me going out there and saying we have to score more tries. We have to get the job done, however that looks. 'We've set the team some goals around what we are trying to achieve, and none of them are around scoring 20 or 30 points, trust me on that.' He said to ensure the victory they would need to compete well in set-pieces, defend well and take whatever opportunities they could create. 'But whatever we dish up we just want to be as accurate as possible. Our skillsets, when the ball is a little wet and there is pressure from the opposition, are always going to be slightly compromised. 'However, if we do get the territory that we want and we get the possession that we want, the fast ball that we want, we want to be able to nail some of those moments. We want to be on top of the scoreboard but there are other parts of the game that we need to dominate to finish on top.' The Sharks are no strangers to tight wins. They have won by fewer than seven points in eight of their 13 victories in the URC. Munster will be motivated with the departure of stalwarts Plumtree said he respected Munster as a proud team that can win away knockout games, as they did in all three play-offs that were away from home when they took the 2022/23 title. Now, with Peter O'Mahony, Conor Murray and Stephen Archer leaving in the coming months, Plumtree knew they would be motivated to provide a strong send-off. 'I know them personally and they've played 700 games for their province. That's the fuel that will drive Munster. Ultimately, it will come down to the side that wants it the most and I guess takes those opportunities.'
IOL News
3 days ago
- Sport
- IOL News
'It's all about the win,' says Sharks coach Plumtree ahead of URC playoff against Munster
John Plumtree Sharks coach John Plumtree, seen here with Jordan Hendrikse who is making a return to the No 10 jumper for the URC quarter-final clash against Munster. | Steve Haag Sports The Sharks have come in for some stick for their unattractive approach to winning United Rugby Championship (URC) matches but coach John Plumtree has made it clear that their aim is to win games rather than prizes for good fellowship. He has a point because the Sharks have risen from a 14th place finish last year to third this season and have earned the luxury of a home quarter-final against Munster on Saturday. The Sharks are the only side in the top eight of the URC to have conceded more tries than they scored, yet they have shown enormous grit to grind out wins. Plumtree was asked if the quarter-finals are the time for his team to pull the trigger on their attacking game and win in style. 'We are not out here to entertain anyone,' Plumtree said. 'We are here to progress as a team and win matches. If that means win ugly, so be it.' In the Sharks' last game, they beat the Scarlets 12-3, with no tries scored, but Plumtree is unconcerned about outside pressure to up the try tally. 'There is enough pressure on the team without going into the change rooms and demanding more tries,' he said. 'We will get the job done, however that looks. 'We have set the team some goals around what we want to achieve. None of them are based on scoring 20 or 30 points, I can promise you that. We strive to win games of rugby, no matter how that gets done. We want our set piece to dominate and defence to function.' There has been zero problem with these aspects — the Sharks have been magnificent on defence and their Springbok-laden pack has been immense in the set scrums. To be fair to the Sharks, in that dour struggle with the Scarlets, the heavy dew made handling difficult. It is a problem at this time of the year in Durban — hot days cool down quickly in the evening and thick dew is the result. 'When the ball is wet along with the pressure from the opposition, it's always going to compromise our skill sets,' he explained. 'But if we get the territory, possession and fast ball we want, we will nail some of those moments. 'A massive part of these contests is keeping the TMO away from making any big calls that affect both teams and the outcome.' The Sharks' attack could well ignite in this match because of the return at outside centre of the skilful Lukhanyo Am, while Jordan Hendrikse replaces the injured Siya Masuku at flyhalf. Springbok captain Siya Kolisi is back at No 8 after a week's vacation. 'It's good to get some guys back, including Siya,' Plumtree said. 'The intensity has been great in our sessions, which is what you would expect with a game like this.' The coach said that Springboks coming into and out of the team over the season because of national duty and resting protocols has been disruptive. 'It has been disjointed, but we haven't let that bother us. Our goal was to put pressure on Glasgow on the log, which meant a good tour and finishing strong at home, and we did that. 'The Scarlets match wasn't the prettiest rugby to watch, but we achieved that goal. We are right where we need to be and are looking forward to the rest of the season.' Plumtree is acquainted with some of the Munster veterans from his time as an assistant coach of Ireland. The Irish side is saying farewell to three of their legends in flank Peter O'Mahony, scrumhalf Conor Evans and prop Steven Archer. 'Munster have a huge fighting spirit and are a very close team. The three guys finishing up have around 600 caps between them,' he said. 'We know what to expect from them but our focus is on playing at home, and progressing in the competition. It's going to come down to who wants it the most and who takes their opportunities on the day.' 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.
The Citizen
22-05-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Four things we've learned about the SA teams this URC season
The Sharks won by fewer than seven points in eight games – more than half their victories – while the Stormers are proving that late-season form is everything. From the regression of the Lions to the sensational change in fortune at the Stormers, this United Rugby Championship (URC) season has seen it all. But time will tell if consistency seen at the Bulls will pay off, while the Sharks, who have received scathing criticism from fans for a relatively mediocre season, may yet go on to win it all. Here are some of the things South African teams have taught us this URC season. Late-season form changes everything The Stormers' six wins from their final seven games in the league phase plucked them out of obscurity to climb from 12th on the log in March to finish in a comfortable fifth place and seven points clear of a playoff spot. The run included four winning bonus points and a losing bonus point. More importantly, it has singled them out as the in-form team to beat. Where they were once a dark horse, they are now title contenders whom no other side will wish to face in a knockout. Their incredible resurgence, fuelled by the return of flyhalf Sacha Fainberg-Mngomezulu and other in-form backline players, could perhaps make the Stormers favourites in their quarter-final away against Glasgow, who are on a three-game losing streak. Sometimes you just need to get across the line While Sharks head coach John Plumtree has spoken of how the manner of a team's win is important, he will be grateful for every victory that gave them their third-place finish on the table. After a hugely disappointing EPCR campaign where they won one match out of five games, the Sharks upped the ante to climb the table in the URC and win the SA shield for the first time. All while battling injuries to star players. The Sharks won by three points or less in six matches this URC season. These came against Ulster, Edinburgh, Zebre, the Lions, the Bulls and Dragons. They also once won by four points (Glasgow) and once won by six points (Stormers). That means the Sharks won by fewer than seven points in more than half their victories. The Sharks finished with only 10 bonus point wins, fewer than Cardiff and Connacht, who didn't make the top eight. But they'll be playing a home quarter-final while those two sides won't feature. Set-piece dominance sucks the life out of opponents Bulls director of rugby Jake White said recently he didn't want his side to be known only for their unbeatable scrums and mauls. But it has been these that have won them momentum time and again and demoralised their opponents. Their victory over Leinster would only have been possible due to their extra-time scrum turnover that gave them the match-winning penalty kick. Bulls players have throughout the season highlighted this set-piece dominance as a driving force, saying they need to stick to what works for them – while still improving what needs work – to go the distance. 'Small margins', poor form or lack of squad depth? Lions coach Ivan van Rooyen said small margins cost them a playoff spot after they could not build on their great start to the season. The Lions won their first four games to sit near the top of the table, before securing only four of their last 14 games and missing a playoff spot by eight points. While small margins played a role, the form of the Lions and the impact of injuries to their best players perhaps made a greater impact on their URC campaign.
