Sharks aim to end Plumtree's reign on a high against Toulouse
- Sharks Rugby
- 16 hours ago
- 6 min read
Investec Champions Cup rugby returns this weekend with the first round pitting the top European and South African teams against each other in one of the sport’s most illustrious and competitive tournaments.
Nick Hatton will lead the Hollywoodbets Sharks against Toulouse in this Group A, first round clash of the group stage in Sunday’s 5.15pm fixture at Stade Ernest-Wallon and given their history in the tournament and current ranking at the top of the French Top 14 competition - Stade Toulousain have won a record 24 French Domestic League Trophies - the Sharks team have a big challenge ahead of them, one they have embraced fiercely.
Debuts for JJ Scheepers and Bathobele Hlekani in the starting line-up and Cebo Dlamini and Jannes Potgieter off the bench add an exciting element to the team, the players certain to deliver energetic performances in this distinguished competition, alongside their teammates who will also look to make a statement against the six-time champions (and eight-time finalists).
For captain Hatton, it’s an opportunity to show pride in the jersey and demonstrate the character in the side, given the hardships the team has faced in recent times.
“The boys are hurting after last week’s loss and how the season has gone so far,” he admitted. “In saying that, we are really excited for this weekend. The mood in the camp is positive, we’re in a good space.
“It’s a massive challenge against Toulouse, we know what they bring to this competition but it’s a challenge we’re all looking forward to and one we’ve been working hard towards.
“Our results haven’t been up to standard but as a group there are no excuses and we are working hard to put the Hollywoodbets Sharks back where they deserve to be. We’re fighting as hard as we can as a group to turn this around and we have the ideal chance on Sunday to show that fight.
“We have 80 minutes to do our best, we have plans in place and we’re looking forward to going out there and giving our best.”
Meanwhile, the Sharks can confirm that head coach John Plumtree has communicated to the Sharks ownership his intention, to step away from his role following the conclusion of our upcoming fixture against Toulouse in France.
Commenting on his decision Plumtree said: “This decision was not taken lightly. I have always been and will always remain, a Sharks man through and through. My commitment to the jersey has been unwavering across my many years of service to the franchise.”
The Sharks CEO, Shaun Bryans added: “This decision taken by Plum has been made in the best interests of The Sharks, with the long-term success and stability of the team at heart. The Sharks accept his decision with respect and gratitude and we extend our sincere thanks for his contribution, leadership and deep care for the badge.
“Plum has played an important role in guiding our squad through a challenging and evolving period and his influence has been invaluable. He will remain part of our high-performance system and will continue to contribute in a capacity that is still being finalised.”
Sharks legend and current assistant coach JP Pietersen will assume the role of interim head coach for the remainder of the season. Pietersen has already demonstrated the calm authority, game understanding and people-centered leadership that mark him as a coach of the future. He has excelled at junior and Currie Cup level, earning the trust and respect of players, fellow coaches and management alike.
Pietersen commented: “The Sharks have shaped my entire rugby life and stepping into this role is both an honour and a responsibility I hold with deep respect. Plum has given so much to this union and to me personally and we are all grateful for his leadership and the standards he has set. My focus now is to provide stability, clarity and to help this team express the best of who we are. We have a united group, a proud jersey and a community that believes in us, and I’m fully committed to guiding the boys through this transition period with energy and purpose.”
The process of considering potential candidates for the permanent head coach role is underway and further updates will be communicated once concluded.
The Sharks take this opportunity to thank Plum for his invaluable contribution as head coach and for his unwavering commitment to the brand and we look forward to his continued connection with the franchise he has given so much to over the years. We also extend our full support to Pietersen as he guides the team through this interim period.
“While change during the season naturally brings adjustment, it also opens the door to fresh opportunity. Our ambitions as a franchise remains unchanged and we are committed to moving forward with purpose, and a continued belief in what this team can achieve,” concluded Bryans.
Earlier this week shoppers at the Westville SUPERSPAR were treated to some eventful sideline action as a handful of Hollywoodbets Sharks rugby players dashed through the aisles, loading up their trolleys for two charities on Wednesday morning.
In the build up to Christmas, the trolley dash coordinated by SPAR, invited the Sharks rugby players to test their skills in a bustling shopping environment, collecting groceries and raising funds for The Robin Hood Foundation and the Gozololo Centre for Children.
The Sharks players had two minutes each to fill up their trolleys. Setting off first for The Robin Hood Foundation, Siya Masuku and Vincent Koch, supported by Sharkie concentrated on toiletries and food items to help vulnerable mothers, babies, children and elderly people by providing essentials such as food parcels, baby-care packs, and support for child-headed families or households in need.
Next to go, Aphelele Fassi and Bradley Davids bagged loads of food items, including a few sneaky treats to make the festive season more memorable. Gozololo has a number of centres established in KwaMashu, Umgababa and Bhambayi. They are responding to the need to provide care and support to a number of traumatized, orphaned and vulnerable children
Chatting after the excitement, fullback Fassi stated, “Today is very important for us as The Sharks. We are showing support for our communities and giving back to two organisations because I feel like KZN as a whole has shown us support for the Sharks brand and we are wanting to give back through this festive season!”
Sharing Fassi’s enthusiasm, Sydney Dubazane Acting Retail Operations Executive: SPAR KZN said, “Thanks to The Sharks for joining us today for this fun charity drive – two charities will be benefiting. We have been working with Gozololo, sharing their successes for a very long time. And we are delighted to support The Sharks selected charity The Robin Hood Foundation too. We pride ourselves with supporting others. Thanks to the Westville SUPERSPAR for allowing us to take over the store, as we continue to support the communities in need.”
Novashni Chetty Chief Operating Officer at The Sharks commented, “For The Sharks, everything centres around community. The community is such a huge part of what we do and for us to give back, to join forces with our partner SPAR and to give back especially during the festive season means the world to us. We want to use our brand as a beacon of hope and support people in need. Doing initiatives like this, bring smiles to people’s faces, especially over this festive period. We thank SPAR for coming onboard with us and making this generous donation possible.”
The Sharks players loaded trollies to the brim with desired items for the two organisations. At the handover presentation, SPAR and TOPS at SPAR matched the dash with cash. Masuku and Koch’s trolley value was R28 683 for The Robin Hood Foundation, while Fassi and Davids rang up a cheque for R26 000 for the Gozololo Centre for Children.
“It means a lot to us, bringing joy to our small kids at the centre. We are so grateful for the gesture and the donation that we have received. We got groceries, sweets and biscuits along with a cheque for R26 000,” said a delighted Sizwe Mvusi, Administrator Gozololo Centre for Children.
Wrapping up the festivities, Charlotte Edgar, Co-ordinator for The Robin Hood Foundation said, “The efforts this morning were immense. Every year we ask 2 500 people to support us getting goodie bags together for Christmas. From Aphelele and Vincent’s dash we will manage to make roughly 400 bags up. It is literally life-changing for the people we support; we are privileged to take this goodwill now and hand it directly to those in need.”
In the build up to the year end festivities and bringing cheer to many, SPAR and The Sharks were delighted to make an impact with their fun-filled trolley dash kindly hosted by Westville SUPERSPAR.
Hollywoodbets Sharks starting XV: 15 Hakeem Kunene, 14 Yaw Penxe, 13 Le Roux Malan, 12 Francois Venter, 11 Makazole Mapimpi; 10 Jordan Hendrikse, 9 Ross Braude; 8 Nick Hatton (capt), 7 Bathobele Hlekani, 6 Matt Romao; 5 Marvin Orie, 4 JJ Scheepers; 3 Mawande Mdanda, 2 Eduan Swart, 1 Lee-Marvin Mazibuko. Replacements: 16 Fez Mbatha, 17 Simphiwe Ngobese, 18 Cebo Dlamini, 19 Jannes Potgieter, 20 Tinotenda Mavesere, 21 Jaden Hendrikse, 22 Jean Smith, 23 Phikolomzi Sobahle.
Investec Champions Cup
Stade Toulousain v Hollywoodbets Sharks - Sunday @ Stade Ernest Wallon, Toulouse (5,15pm)
Referee: Christophe Ridley (Eng)
TV: SuperSport
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