Latest news with #SiyaKolisi
The Citizen
2 days ago
- Sport
- The Citizen
Sharks have plenty to prove despite best ever URC campaign
The underperforming Sharks have plenty to prove in the URC knockouts, despite enjoying their best ever campaign in the competition so far. The Sharks have arguably the strongest SA squad in the URC, featuring Springbok heavyweights like Eben Etzebeth and Siya Kolisi, but have never made it past the competition quarterfinals. Picture: Ben Evans/Huw Evans/Gallo Images The Sharks have got plenty to prove, despite producing their best ever campaign in the United Rugby Championship (URC), and a strong run in the competition playoffs will certainly be a good start. Ever since Marco Masotti's US based MVM Holdings took over the Sharks back in 2021, massive funding and a slew of Springbok signings turned the union into the glamour franchise of South African rugby. However, success did not immediately follow, and although the Sharks have remedied that with a couple of trophies over the past year, it is still a far cry from what is expected of them from fans and pundits alike, as they have underperformed in the biggest tournaments. Winning the second tier Challenge Cup as well as the Currie Cup last year was certainly welcome for a team with as much funding and star power as the Sharks, but the URC and Champions Cup are what they are really measured on, and based on that so far, they have come up short. This season is the first that the Sharks are hosting a URC quarterfinal, for finishing in the top four on the log at the end of the pool phase. In season one they finished fifth, in season two eighth and season three was an unmitigated disaster, finishing an embarrassing 14th, which is why winning the Challenge Cup was so important in saving face. They have only featured in two editions of the pinnacle of Northern Hemisphere franchise rugby, the Champions Cup, with them making the quarterfinals first time, and not making it out of their pool the second, but with all SA sides still trying to navigate the competition they aren't the only underperformers. Disappointing URC The URC is the competition that they should be most disappointed with how they have performed in, as they have never made it past the quarterfinals. The Stormers, who have far less funding and not as many star names, have won the competition and made two finals, while the Bulls, who are the only SA franchise that can challenge the Sharks in funds and recruitment, are two-time finalists. This URC season is thus the Sharks golden opportunity to start shaking off that underperformer tag, and start proving that they are one of the Galactico's of franchise rugby, especially with them boasting a roster featuring Eben Etzebeth, Siya Kolisi, Ox Nche, Andre Esterhuizen and Lukhanyo Am amongst others. They have done their first job, finishing third on the URC log and hosting a knockout, but now they have to back that up by defeating Irish giants Munster to progress to the semifinals. That could set them up with a blockbuster semi against Highveld rivals the Bulls at Loftus, or could even see them host another knockout, if Scottish side Edinburgh upset the odds this weekend. But the Sharks goal should be firmly on making the URC final, and if they can get to that stage, anything can happen, as has been proven over the past three seasons.
The South African
2 days ago
- Sport
- The South African
URC quarter-final: Sharks v Munster
Siya Kolisi will lead a star-studded Sharks team. Image: SA rugby website Home » Live scoring | URC quarter-final: Sharks v Munster Siya Kolisi will lead a star-studded Sharks team. Image: SA rugby website After some scratchy performances in recent times, the Sharks will have to lift their quality of play immensely to come away with a victory in their URC quarter-final against Munster on Saturday. The Durbanites will certainly be glad to have home ground advantage as they come up against 2023 champions Munster, who have endured an up and down season themselves. Kick off is at 18:30. URC quarter-final: Sharks v Munster Date: Saturday, 31 MayVenue: Hollywoodbets Kings Park, DurbanSA Time: 18h30Referee: Mike Adamson TV: SuperSport 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 (captain), 3 Vincent Koch, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Ox Nche. Replacements: 16 Fez Mbatha, 17 Ntuthuko Mchunu, 18 Hanro Jacobs, 19 Emile van Heerden, 20 Phepsi Buthelezi, 21 Bradley Davids, 22 Francois Venter, 23 Yaw Pen 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 South African
3 days ago
- Automotive
- The South African
'Humbling': Rachel Kolisi 'downgrades' to affordable car
Rachel Kolisi has swapped driving luxury brands like Mercedes-Benz and Land Rovers for a more affordable ride, a Yaris! Despite being the former wife of Springbok captain Siya Kolisi, Rachel has been praised for her humility and simplicity. In a since-deleted Instagram post, Rachel Kolisi posted a series of pictures of her latest ride – an old Toyota Yaris. In the post, the former Springbok WAG rode around in the modest vehicle, which she also used to pick up her ex Siya Kolisi's sister Liphelo. The influencer and philanthropist captioned the post: 'Life has a funny way of humbling you just when you think you've got it all figured out. One day you're riding high, the next you're asking a friend to borrow their spare car and googling 'how to parallel park a Yaris with dignity.' The mother-of-two added: 'It's not forever. It's just a chapter. But honestly? Betsy (the car) and I are kind of vibing, and I still nail clutch control.' Rachel Kolisi deleted an IG post about her modest car. Images via Instagram: @rachelkolisi Just hours earlier, Rachel had posted pictures of her 'last day' in her Mercedes-Benz. It's unclear if the luxury car was hers or possibly a brand endorsement deal. Rachel Kolisi isn't the only Capetonian who will be hitting the road in a Yaris. Former DA leader Helen Zille revealed in March that she would be finally upgrading her trusted Corsa of 25 years to another affordable option. In the comments section, Helen was asked what car she would be driving next. 'A Toyota Yaris,' she responded. According to Toyota, the Yaris debuted in South Africa in 2005 and quickly became one of their best-selling models globally. In recent years, 'slow sales' have seen the popular car being discontinued in countries around the world. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 . Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp , Facebook , X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
Extra.ie
3 days ago
- Sport
- Extra.ie
Munster not fixating on Sharks' class
Munster centre Alex Nankivell says the team are deliberately not thinking too much about the 'world-class' Sharks ahead of Saturday's URC quarter-final showdown in Durban. King's Park is expected to have over 50,000 supporters packed in for a highly anticipated clash that sees Munster go up against a team stacked with South African internationals of the calibre of Siya Kolisi and Eben Etzebeth. However, Kiwi Nankivell, who has been one of Munster's most consistent performers during a difficult season, says there has been a definite policy within camp all week of focusing on their own strengths rather than dwelling on what dangers the Sharks possess. Alex Nankivell in action for Munster. Pic: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile 'They have a load of world class players, a lot of Springboks,' admitted Nankivell. 'The Sharks are traditionally a very strong team but 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. 'Honestly if we get our stuff right, I genuinely believe we can beat them.'
Irish Times
3 days ago
- General
- Irish Times
Unchanged Munster side for tough Sharks test in South Africa
URC: Sharks v Munster, Kings Park Stadium, 5.30pm, TG4 & Premier Sports 1 Munster have named an unchanged side for Saturday's URC quarter-final against Sharks at Kings Park in Durban. Thaakir Abrahams, Calvin Nash and Diarmuid Kilgallen start in the back three. Alex Nankivell and Tom Farrell, who has started every single game so far this season, continue their centre partnership with Craig Casey and Jack Crowley in the halfbacks. READ MORE Michael Milne, Niall Scannell and Stephen Archer pack down in the frontrow with Jean Kleyn and captain Tadhg Beirne in the engine room. Peter O'Mahony, John Hodnett and Gavin Coombes start in the backrow. Diarmuid Barron, Josh Wycherley, John Ryan provide the frontrow cover as Tom Ahern and Alex Kendellen complete the forward cover. Conor Murray, Rory Scannell and Mike Haley are the backline replacements, where Scannell is in line to make his 200th appearance for the province. It is a tough assignment for Munster, who will come up against a Sharks team with Springbok stars like Siya Kolisi, Eben Etzebeth and Ox Nche. Sharks: A Fassi; E Hooker, L Am, A Esterhuizen, M Mapimpi; Jordan Hendrikse, Jaden Hendrikse; O Nche, B Mbonambi, V Koch; E Etzebeth (capt), J Jenkins; J Venter, V Tshituka, S Kolisi. Replacements: F Mbatha, N Mchunu, H Jacobs, E Van Heerden, P Buthelezi, B Davids, F Venter, Y Penxe. Munster Rugby : T Abrahams; C Nash, T Farrell, A Nankivell, D Kilgallen; J Crowley, C Casey; M Milne, N Scannell, S Archer; J Kleyn, T Beirne (capt); P O'Mahony, J Hodnett, G Coombes. Replacements : D Barron, J Wycherley, J Ryan, T Ahern, A Kendellen, C Murray, R Scannell, M Haley. Referee: M Adamson (Scotland)
