Sharks look to end URC season on a high

The Hollywoodbets Sharks eight try thrilling Vodacom United Rugby Championship victory over Benetton at Hollywoodbets Kings Park showed how exciting the young backline is but not without a platform from which to show their attacking prowess.

For Sharks head coach JP Pietersen, without a foundation, much of what the team achieved on attack wouldn’t have been possible. A dominant scrum, an effectively competitive line-out and power at maul time delivered the backline the perfect platform from which to launch their many attacks.

“We gelled pretty well, there was good intent and I was very happy with the performance,” he admitted after the game.

Scoring eight tries was something special but Pietersen acknowledged that without a solid foundation, they may not have earned such valuable reward.

“We have exciting backs in Jurenzo, Siyaya, Jaco, Edwill as well as Mapimps and Lili Bester coming on, along with Andre, he’s the older guy, but is all starts with the set-piece and we must give credit to the pack.

“Emile led well, Ox scrummed well, we mauled well and there were good ball carries from Manu who was very good for us.

“So the forwards deserve credit for laying the platform for the backs to express themselves.”

While much can be said about what the team did with the ball, the game is also won and lost with the work done without the ball, and there was high praise for the team’s fight on defence to deny Benneton for 78 minutes.

“We brought the physicality, the first point of contact was good, we made our one-on-one tackles and we contested hard on the ball which stopped them from gaining any go-forward. Even when they did get a line-break, there was good scrambling, and it wasn’t just one guy chasing, but three or four.

“Benetton had a chance in the first half but there was good fight from Jaco to chase back and to stop them. So the physicality and effort were both outstanding through the whole 80 minutes.

“We asked the team to give us consistency in performance and they did that with the right mindset, and that all came from a good week of prep with Andre showing good leadership all week.”

Although a top eight finish won’t be achieved this season, this match really showed the pride the players have in the jersey and the youth that raised their hands to be counted certainly bode well for the future.

“We are very disappointed to be out of the top eight but we’ve addressed this. We said before this match that there are two home games left in the tournament and we want to show the crowd that has been supporting us this whole season there is fight and pride in the jersey.

“That’s what I’ve been asking from day one when I took over. We’ve been doing it – not consistently – but there’s always fight and pride. And in this game it just showed that when your opponent scores just one try against you, there’s massive fight and pride in the jersey.”

What did the performance say about the group in essence?

“I think it sums us up.

“Our log position doesn’t do justice to what we’ve been working on, but credit to the group. To pitch up every Monday in a difficult time, putting a lot of effort in but not getting the rewards, but they keep showing up, positive.

“Andre, Emile, Vincent Tshituka, Nick Hatton – the leadership group really care about this union.

“We’re in the process of learning how to win and I think we’re on the right path of learning about consistently winning for next season.”

The Sharks close out the 2026 Vodacom United Rugby Championship with a final round clash against Zebre at Hollywoodbets Kings Park on Saturday afternoon, looking to end the season on a high.

Pietersen has largely stuck with the side that dismantled Zebre’s Italian cousins Benetton last week, keeping the forward pack intact and making a couple of changes to the backline.

Vusi Moyo, fresh off the Junior Bok’s unbeaten run in SANZAR’s Under-20 Rugby Championship (and the trophy), makes his URC debut at flyhalf, with Zekhethelo Siyaya reverting to the fullback position he occupied the previous two weeks, while Litelihle Bester replaces the injured Makazole Mapimpi who took two heavy knocks in the 46-7 victory a week ago.

Edwill van der Merwe also misses this game through injury, with Jaco Williams elevated to a start and Le Roux Malan taking his place on the bench, joined by Deon Slabbert who comes in for Corne Rahl in the No 19 jersey.

This match is all about continuing last week’s commanding performance, to demonstrate the team’s passion for and commitment to the Black & White jersey and to give a resounding send-off to the competition.

But mostly, it’s about thanking the fans for their support all season, to show how much they matter, and how much the team values the energy and passion they bring.

Meanwhile, the Sharks hosted their annual Sharks Player Awards evening at Sun Sibaya on Tuesday evening celebrating the outstanding individuals who rose above a challenging 2025/26 season and recognising the players who continue to shape the future of the club.

While results on the field did not always reflect the high standards expected of The Sharks, the evening served as an important reminder of the resilience, character and emerging talent within the organisation. Players, staff, sponsors and invited guests gathered to honour those who consistently delivered performances of excellence and commitment throughout the campaign.

The awards highlighted the exciting young talent emerging through the system, alongside senior players who continued to lead through action and example as the team lays the foundation for future success.

Among the major award winners on the evening, André Esterhuizen was voted Players’ Player of the Year by his teammates for his leadership, consistency and influence throughout the season, while Emile van Heerden received the prestigious Sharks Player of the Year award for his consistency and standout performances across both the Vodacom URC and the Investec Champions Cup competitions.

Phepsi Buthelezi enjoyed a standout season and scooped three awards on the night for his efforts (URC Player of the Season, Top Try Scorer, and the Fans Player of the Year), while Aphelele Fassi was recognised as the Champions Cup Player of the Season following several influential performances on the European stage.

The Sharks’ commitment to young player development was further reinforced through the recognition of several rising stars, namely Phatu Ganyane being honored as the Breakthrough Player of the Year.

2025/2026 Sharks Player Award Winners

• Hollywoodbets Sharks U19 Player of the Season – Hanu Pieterse

• Hollywoodbets Sharks U21 Player of the Season – Jaco Williams

• Hollywoodbets Sharks Currie Cup Player of the Season – Nick Hatton

• Hollywoodbets Sharks URC Player of the Season – Phepsi Buthelezi

• Hollywoodbets Sharks Champions Cup Player of the Season – Aphelele Fassi

• Hollywoodbets Sharks Top Try Scorer – Phepsi Buthelezi

• Hollywoodbets Sharks Breakthrough Player of the Year – Phatu Ganyane

• Hollywoodbets Sharks Fans Player of the Year – Phepsi Buthelezi

• Hollywoodbets Sharks Players’ Player of the Year – André Esterhuizen

• Hollywoodbets Sharks Player of the Year – Emile van Heerden

Speaking on the significance of the evening, Pietersen acknowledged that while the season presented its fair share of challenges, recognising excellence and celebrating the individuals who continued to uphold the values and standards of the jersey remains critically important.

“We remain firmly focused on building for the future, we have belief in the talent emerging through the ranks and confidence in the collective determination within the Sharks family to get back on track and come back stronger during the 2026/2027 rugby season.”

Hollywoodbets Sharks starting XV: 15 Zekhethelo Siyaya, 14 Jaco Williams, 13 Jurenzo Julius, 12 Andre Esterhuizen (capt), 11 Litelihle Bester; 10 Vusi mayo, 9 Bradley Davids; 8 Nick Hatton, 7 Emmanuel Tshituka, 6 Siya Kolisi; 5 Emile van Heerden, 4 Jason Jenkins; 3 Vincent Koch, 2 Eduan Swart, 1 Ox Nche. Replacements: 16 Fez Mbatha, 17 Phatu Ganyane, 18 Hanro Jacobs, 19 Deon Slabbert, 20 Matt Romao, 21 Ross Braude, 22 Jean Smith, 23 Le Roux Malan.

SATURDAY

Hollywoodbets Sharks v Zebre Parma

Hollywoodbets Kings Park, Durban – KO 12.45pm IRE & UK/1.45pm ITA & SA

Live on: SuperSport, Premier Sports, Flo Rugby & URC.tv

Referee: Adam Jones (WRU) 50th game

AR1: Griffin Colby (SARU), AR2: Sean Muller (SARU)

TMO: Paul Larter (SRU)