Latest news with #SharksXV
IOL News
14 hours ago
- Sport
- IOL News
JP Pietersen praises resilience of young Sharks in close call against Cheetahs
The Sharks XV suffered another loss against the Cheetahs at the Sugar Ray Xulu Stadium in Clermont on Saturday. Sharks XV coach JP Pietersen praised the resilience shown by his young Currie Cup team in fronting up to the Free State Cheetahs, despite suffering a third loss on the bounce in the competition on Saturday evening at Sugar Ray Xulu Stadium in Clermont, west of Durban. "Obviously we didn't get the result but immensely proud of the team. It's been tow tough weeks. We stood up today against a well-coached Cheetahs team, fronting up on our home ground in showing the performance that we did today," the coach said after the match. The home team lost the closely contested match 7-5, with a missed conversion denying them at least a share of the spoils against their more experienced rivals. "The game was obviously won and lost defensively. You can see both teams defended well but the Cheetahs took the opportunity," Pietersen said. "It was just unfortunate we couldn't get our continuity on attack. We did some very good things on attack, we just couldn't get continuity. "But it takes time to build cohesion, to get a feel (for each other). Vusi Moyo was new at 10, Marnus Diego was new (at centre). It takes time, so I'm extremely proud of the group today."
IOL News
3 days ago
- Sport
- IOL News
Sharks XV look to energise their game with home support in unknown Clermont
Sharks XV coach JP Pietersen says his team will look to their passionate home fans for extra energy when they take on the Cheetahs XV in the Currie Cup on Saturday in Clermont. Image: BackpagePix The Sharks XV hope the support in Clermont's Sugar Ray Xulu Stadium will aid them in their search for a first Currie Cup win when they take on the Cheetahs on Saturday afternoon (5.10pm start). It's an unknown stadium for both sides, but the home team will look to their passionate fans to provide some extra energy to their players as they look to shake off two demoralising losses in the opening stages of the tournament. They are sitting with a points difference of minus 105 and at the bottom of the log with zero points. 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 Head coach JP Pietersen believes taking the game to the community could aid the side as they look to break their duck in the competition. 'It's great that we are taking the game to the community and hopefully inspire future players,' Pietersen said. 'You never know, you may find a future Makazole Mapimpi coming from there, so it is a good initiative from the Sharks and Durban Tourism to take the game to the people. We are expecting a lot of 'gees'. They must come to support and cheer for us. We have a lot of young players and need that support. 'If the people can come out in their numbers, it would help the team a lot and urge the guys to play the game as they want to put some joy on the people's faces. The guys are excited, there's been good energy in training, and we're looking forward to seeing what this team can do at home.' Pietersen is hopeful the halfback combination of Junior Springbok flyhalf Vusi Moyo and scrumhalf Bradley Davids can spark the team on the attack. They've only scored five points in their first two games, but they do have the players to open up the game with their abilities. Davids is known for his sniping runs around the rucks, while Moyo loves to take the ball up into contact, and he possesses the ability to put the centres into space with his runs and offloads. We're taking the game to Clermont 🖤🤍 🗓️: Sat, 09 August 🕰️: 17H10 🏟️: Sugar Ray Xulu Stadium FREE ENTRY #CarlingCurrieCup #CurrieCup #SHAvCHE — The Sharks (@SharksRugby) August 7, 2025
IOL News
4 days ago
- Sport
- IOL News
Sharks XV aim for Currie Cup redemption with Junior Springbok talents
Scrumhalf Bradley Davids will be tasked to steer the attack of the Sharks XV alongside Junior Springbok flyhalf Vusi Moyo when they face the Cheetahs on Saturday in Clermont in the Currie Cup. Image: BackpagePix The Sharks XV reflected deeply on a disappointing week ahead of their third-round Currie Cup clash against the Cheetahs in Durban (5.10pm kick-off) on Saturday afternoon. After being walloped 64-0 by the Bulls at Loftus Versfeld this past weekend, the Sharks have set their sights on turning their fortunes around as they continue to invest in young players for the tournament. Despite the heavy defeat, there is still positivity in the camp, and according to head coach JP Pietersen, they've prepared well for the onslaught from their Free State counterparts. 'We are only two games in and there are still a lot more left to play in the competition,' Pietersen said on Thursday. 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 ✕ He announced a side brimming with Junior Springboks for the duel at the Sugar Ray Xulu Stadium in Clermont. Exciting flyhalf Vusi Moyo will partner scrumhalf Bradley Davids in a brand new half-back pairing, while Jaco Williams shifts to fullback. In the midfield and on the wing, Pietersen opted to strengthen the side with more experienced campaigners. 'We spoke honestly on Monday about our performance and how we could fix it,' Pietersen said about their preparation. 'Plum (John Plumtree, Sharks URC head coach) and Neil (Powell, director of rugby) spoke to the boys and told them this is part of the process of what we are doing, and it might not be working now. But it was good for them to speak to the boys.' According to Pietersen, the Cheetahs will be a bit of an unknown factor, especially with their new coaching staff of Frans Steyn and Ruan Pienaar. The duo is, of course, former teammates of Pietersen at the Boks and Sharks. He said they are preparing for a physical onslaught, and every team will target them in that department because of their youngsters.
News24
31-07-2025
- Sport
- News24
Currie Cup Round 2: Sharks XV get Junior Bok boost for trip to Loftus
8m ago Sharks XV get Junior Bok boost for trip to Loftus The Sharks XV have named their line-up for Saturday's clash against the Bulls at Loftus Versfeld. The defending champions, who lost 46-5 to the Lions at Ellis Park last weekend, have a mixture of experience and youth in their side. Head coach JP Pietersen delayed the introduction of some young stars last week, but the time is ripe for the youngsters to make the step up to Currie Cup rugby. Jaco Williams, Simphiwe Ngobese, Matt Romao and Simphiwe 'Vusi' Moyo have all been included in the matchday 23, following their U20 World Championship success with the Junior Springboks. Williams, with his eye for the tryline and pace to match, has been named on the wing, replacing Khuthi Rasivhaga who moves to the bench, while Ngobese covers prop and flank Romao will provide backrow cover on the bench. Moyo, also on the bench, starred for the Junior Boks with his place-kicking, astute distribution and physicality, converting two tries and kicking three penalties for an individual points' haul of 13, following his team's 23-15 victory over the Junior All Blacks in the final. With a total of 63 points across the tournament, he emerged as the global showpiece's top scorer. Adding top-level experience amongst the forwards, lock Corne Rahl and flank Tino Mavesere come into the starting line-up, replacing Gideon Koegelenberg and Mawande Mdanda respectively. Tighthead prop Lee-Marvin Mazibuko is a welcome addition to the side. The 28-year old former Western Province and Stormers front row forward, who has returned to South Africa after a season with Racing 92 in France, starts in Mawande Mdanda's place.
