Although the Sharks cannot make the Vodacom URC playoffs, coach JP Pietersen’s selections for Saturday’s home match against Benetton make it a worthwhile viewing experience, writes MARK KEOHANE.
The next two matches are a chance to bid farewell to Siya Kolisi, who will return to Cape Town and the Stormers for the 2026-27 season, but for Pietersen and Sharks supporters the big selections are Jaco Williams at fullback, Jurenzo Julius at outside centre and Zekhethelo Siyaya at flyhalf.
Siyaya is the talk of the town after a stunning debut at fullback. He is just 18 years old and would have been playing for the Junior Springboks against New Zealand in Sanzaar’s U20 Rugby Championship on Saturday.
Siyaya was electric in his two URC matches overseas, but selecting him at No 10 is as appetising as the prospect of the Sharks getting another win in a league season that has included too many defeats.
Williams, another youngster promoted to Sharks duty since Pietersen’s appointment, is back from injury and at No 15. Williams was outstanding against the Stormers a few months ago, scoring on debut as a winger in Cape Town. A week later he excelled as a fullback.
Pietersen has had no issues picking youngsters as he builds for next season and beyond, which contrasts with the Sharks’ recent history of playing a star-studded squad of international veterans who tend to deliver far more impressive performances when playing for the Springboks.
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Julius was the Junior Springbok Player of the Year two seasons ago, and at 22 years old, he is still a pup in the minefield that is professional rugby’s midfield.
But Julius is an impressive pup who isn’t far off having a consistent bark with the big dogs like Springbok teammate André Esterhuizen.
The URC is into its final fortnight of the league stage and all of the Stormers, Lions and Bulls can potentially end in a top four. Alternatively, only one could make the top four. The league’s top end is so congested that the Stormers could finish the weekend fighting for a top four place, despite going into it as the top-ranked team.
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The Bulls are in eighth position but 10 league points in their final two home matches at Loftus Versfeld drastically improve their playoff placement.
Home-ground advantage is significant in the playoffs, as the highest-placed team always gets the advantage through the quarter-finals, semi-finals and final.
The Stormers will hope that Ulster may be distracted because of their push for a first European title in 18 years. Ulster will play Montpellier in the EPCR Challenge Cup final in Bilbao on 22 May.
The Stormers require nine league points from a possible 10 against Ulster and Cardiff to secure first place.
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Glasgow and Leinster represent the strongest challenge from up north and the in-form Lions could prove the playoffs’ biggest disruptor by beating Leinster this weekend in Dublin.
It will be a massive ask for the Lions to win, but Leinster have been indifferent, dropping six matches in 16 league starts. Their focus will primarily be on ensuring their best 23 are ready and rested for the Investec Champions Cup final against Bordeaux in Bilbao on Saturday, 23 May.
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The disrupted nature of two tournaments running parallel is confusing and frustrating for South African rugby fans, but at least they can take comfort from an uninterrupted fortnight of URC league action, and then a full month of playoffs post the EPCR finals the weekend of 22 and 23 May.
Photo: Steve Haag/Gallo Images
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