When the Sharks and Kolisi run onto the pitch at Hollywood Kings Park in Durban on Saturday, they will defend the honour and reputation of South African rugby. They Sharkies are going in pursuit of history in the United Rugby Championship.
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.
Since it is the first ever URC, the Sharks will look 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. 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.
SA RUGBY STRIVES ON REDEMPTION AND BOUNCING BACK
Kolisi knows all about the power of bouncing back from pressure.
He captained the Springboks to a famous and triumphant 2019 Rugby World Cup 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 will certainly play his part in leading on the pitch. Perhaps even more important then the pride of our other franchises too the Sharks is their season. They need to win, a win over Connacht could see the Durbanites take one step closer to securing a home semi-final.
If the Sharks win, they could finish as high as 3rd or 4th, depending on other results.
The log is jam-packed, making every game vital for every site caught fighting for playoff spots.