The Sharks and Kolisi made history at Hollywood Kings Park in Durban on Saturday, while defending he honour and reputation of South African rugby. The Sharkies went in pursuit of history in the United Rugby Championship – and did just that!
The Stormers and Bulls have been on fire since returning to their home grounds but even they could not topple Connacht. The Lions lost 33-30 to them last weekend. Meaning, no South African side could defeat the Irish side in the URC. That is, until they ran into the Sharks…
Since it is the first ever URC, the Sharks aimed at ensuring that their is no clean sweep over the SA side’s. Even the mighty Leinster and Munster have fallen to the passionate wrath of SA rugby.
SA RUGBY STRIVES ON REDEMPTION AND BOUNCING BACK
Like the Springboks, we are at our best when our backs are to the wall…
Especially, when we are lining up from our own stands – with thousands of vocal voices behind our boys. Kolisi knows all about the power of bouncing back from pressure. He captained the Springboks to a famous and triumphant 2019 Rugby World Cup. This, after losing their opening encounter to the All Blacks.
The same thing happened during the 2021 British & Irish tour, after the Boks lost the opener in the epic three-match series. Kolisi and several of the Sharks squad were present in both of these squads. The likes of Ox Nche, Bongi Mbonambi and Makazole Mapimpi were all prominent in the Lions series while Ox did not play in the World Cup.
Now, Kolisi may not be captain but he certainly played his part in leading on the pitch. Perhaps even more important then the pride of our other franchises too the Sharks is their season. This win over Connacht sees the Durbanites take one step closer to securing a home semi-final.
They are up to 4th in the latest United Rugby Championship standings.
The log is jam-packed, making every game vital for every site caught fighting for playoff spots.