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With a squad featuring Eben Etzebeth and Siya Kolisi, Sharks Coach John Plumtree says it’s the best squad he’s ever had
The Sharks are locked in on their next two home games in the United Rugby Championship.
Coach John Plumtree’s men will face Ulster on Saturday and will then host the Scarlets the following weekend.
Determined to bag the team’s first win, Plumtree has bolstered his starting 15 with the inclusion of 13 Springboks.
The boys are pumped for our first home game of the season 💪
Who are you most excited to see at The Tank?@Vodacom #URC #SHAvULS pic.twitter.com/e3ZjGxvWIV
— The Sharks (@SharksRugby) October 16, 2025
After three rounds of competition, the Sharks have lost to the Glasgow Warriors and defending champions, Leinster.
They did, however, secure a draw against the Dragons, all on the road. Now, they have the opportunity to make amends against Ulster in front of their home crowd and Plumtree brought in his big guns.
Thirteen Springboks were included in the starting 15, which features the likes of Eben Etzebeth and Siya Kolisi.
He says it is the best squad the Sharks have ever had building cohesion between so-called URC players and the returning Boks, remains tough.
“Our challenge this week has been just to get ourselves organised as possible, but luckily the coaches have been really good. They’ve sent out all the information to the boys coming back to help speed up all the learnings and that’s been really good. We feel like we’re ready to go,” says Plumtree.
Plumtree says the Durban-based side is desperate to get their campaign on track. He promised fans a passionate performance against an unbeaten Ulster team.
“Not a lot of teams, by the looks of it, are winning away matches at this stage. I think the Stormers have beaten the Scarlets and I think Munster beat the Scarlets, but there haven’t been a lot of away wins for other teams. If we can do the job at home then we’re right back in it, where we need to be, and then we’ll see what happens in December, I guess,” he adds.
Ahead of this weekend’s matches, Ulster are 5th in the standings with 10 points after 2 matches. The Sharks are 13th after 3 matches.
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