Hollywoodbets Sharks coach John Plumtree believes that playing in front of their home crowd in Durban is exactly what his team needs to turn around their current form in the United Rugby Championship (URC).
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The Sharks have experienced a difficult start to their 2025/26 season in the URC.
Quality not what it ought to have been
Their campaign kicked off with a defeat to last season’s finalists, the Glasgow Warriors, followed by a draw with the Dragons.
Despite being boosted with a return of some of their international players, a more determined Leinster got the better of the men in black with a 31-5 victory in Dublin last time out.
Currently, they find themselves near the bottom end of the URC log in 13th position.
In his reflection of the past weekend, John Plumtree was the first to admit that the quality of play was not what it ought to have been.
He added that a poor start to the game was part of what contributed to putting his team on the back foot.
“They came out fast, and we just didn’t get the contestable kicks in terms of regaining the ball in the air.
“We also had a few soft moments defensively that allowed them to build that scoreboard pressure early,” he said.
Kings Park to be the difference
With two defeats and one draw, the team will now return to Kings Park where they face Ulster, followed by a match against the Scarlets.
The Sharks have also announced that experienced campaigners Siya Kolisi, Eben Etzebeth and Ox Nche will all be up for selection and hope this, along with home advantage, will prove to be the difference in results.
“We are really disappointed that we weren’t able to do the job. We return home for games against Ulster and then the Scarlets at Hollywoodbets Kings Park, knowing what we have to do and what’s at stake, given the log as it stands.
“The team is disappointed, and collectively we must take responsibility to be better over the next two weeks, and that’s what we will do.
“That’s our message to everyone, we’ll keep working hard and make sure we get it right over the next fortnight.”
