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Mixed results for Sharks in opening pre-season fixtures against a university team and an international side

10 Jan 2020

The Sharks will be bolstered by the return of Springboks stars Sbu Nkosi (left) and Lukanyo Am (No. 13) later in the pre-season. (Photo by Lionel Ng/Getty Images)

The Sharks have hammered Russia 64-14 in a pre-season friendly in Durban on Friday.

It was a much better result for head coach Sean Everitt after the Sharks lost their first warm-up of the day 26-31 to North-West University-Pukke.

However, the team that faced the university side was much weaker than the one that faced Russia.

Continue reading below…

Newcomers Ox Nche, Le Roux Roets, James Venter, Henco Venter, Sikhumbuzo Notshe, Jordan Chait and Madosh Tambwe all made their first appearance in Sharks colours in the Russia match.

The Sharks were well in control at half-time against the Russians with a 26-7 half-time lead before reaching their final tally of 64-14.

Full time of the second warm up match again Russia ?#OurSharksForever
?: @HowardCleland3 pic.twitter.com/BXdUgTWDQv
— The Sharks (@SharksRugby) January 10, 2020

In the match against Pukke, the Sharks looker comfortable with a 19-5 lead at half-time. However, Pukke fought back valiantly to secure a tight win.

The Sharks face Russia again next Friday (January 17) before facing the Stormers in Johannesburg on SuperHero Sunday (January 19).

They then open their regular season with a South African derby clash against the Bulls at Kings Park in Durban on January 31.

Super Rugby pre-season action continues this weekend, as the Stormers will face Maties, the Ikey Tigers, the Cape Peninsula University of Techology and a Western Province XV in four 20-minute periods at Florida Park in Ravensmead on Saturday.

All 15 Super Rugby sides will play a raft of pre-season matches over the coming fortnight before the regular season kick-off with the Blues hosting the Chiefs at Eden Park in Auckland on January 31.

Super Rugby pre-season fixtures and results:

Friday, January 10

Sharks 26-31 NWU-Pukke at Kings Park, Durban

Sharks 64-14 Russia at Kings Park, Durban

Saturday, January 11

Stormers vs Maties, UCT, CPUT and a DHL WP XV at Florida Park, Ravensmead

Friday, January 17

Chiefs vs Blues at Waihi Athletic Rugby Club, Waihi

Reds v Rebels at Marley Brown Oval, Gladstone

Waratahs vs Highlanders at Leichardt Oval, Sydney

Sharks vs Russia at Kings Park, Durban

Bulls vs Lions at Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria

Jaguares vs Georgia XV at Estadio Jose Maria Minella, Mar del Plata

Saturday, January 18

Hurricanes vs Crusaders at Ashburton Showgrounds, Ashburton

Sunday, January 19

Stormers vs Sharks at FNB Stadium, Soweto

Lions vs Bulls at FNB Stadium, Soweto

Thursday, January 23

Rebels vs Brumbies at Greenfield Park, Albury (3:45pm kick-off)

Rebels vs Brumbies at Greenfield Park, Albury (6:15pm kick-off)

Friday, January 24

Blues vs Hurricanes at Onewa Domain, Auckland

Highlanders vs Crusaders at Wanaka A&P Showgrounds, Wanaka

Reds vs Waratahs at Dalby Leagues Club, Dalby

Jaguares vs Georgia XV at San Isidro Club, Buenos Aires

Saturday, January 25

Sunwolves vs Challenge Barbarians at Mikuni World Stadium Kitakyushu, Kitakyushu

– With Rugby365

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Comments on RugbyPass

Cantab 9 days ago

Teenager Braxton Sorensen-McGee reflects on dream Black Ferns debut

Although NZ won comfortably enough they weren’t always convincing and a better opposition may well have found them out. If our gun 7s players can translate their skills to the 15s game the team would have the ability to beat anyone. Need to be given the chance though.

4 Go to comments

James 9 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

And how do you see the Wallabies loosehead / Lion’s tighthead battle Nick?

37 Go to comments

dw 9 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Also interested in your thoughts on A Bell. Haven't noticed many scrum issues recently. He also seems to play 60 or so mins every game. A bit of a fan (even though he’s a tah..) but wondered if the Lions would target his scrummaging

37 Go to comments

dw 9 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

True. And you look at how the European coaches have got so much out of skelton and how much the local fans love him…and then some Oz fans will still say “he played poorly for the tahs I'm 2015!”

37 Go to comments

dw 9 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Thanks Nick but your headline has just jinxed us and reminded me of that night in 2013!

I love any analysis of the scrums such as the above. Cheers.

Allalatoa seems to be in good form and Nongorr appears to be able to hold his own? I think they will pick Tupou regardless of form. After Friday night I am concerned he could be sent off in the first five mins of the test though! He got too pumped up and hit a player high and was carded

37 Go to comments

RedWarriors 9 days ago

'Most complacent selection decision you will ever see': Barrett benching slammed as Leinster knocked out

I watched the mainstream NZ pundits eg Mils Muliaina and they DID back NZ to win almost to a man.

Ireland will talk their team up as anyone would with the caveats we are playing the ABs and match was de facto 50:50, That is not the same as dismissing the opposition. EG After the quarter John Kirwan said he was sorry France didn’t win versus SA becuase a ‘France-NZ final would be perfect. (The semis had not even been played yet, England and Argentina completely dismissed! He didn’t even realize his own arrogance) NZ are not even aware of the arrogance they exude. Has no Kiwi politely asked the national team to take down the ‘Superstars and Humble Heroes’ boasting on the AB site? Its cringeworthy stuff. Do NZ really see themselves like this?

Note all this BS about Irish arrogance started just after NZs defeat in the 2022 series. Not a coincidence.

Also: this is Irish national TV. We will talk our team up as everyone does. We care too much about judgemental and thin skinned Kiwis getting offended.

91 Go to comments

JM 9 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Aussie rugby fans are obsessed with players they hate, for whatever reason.

Michael Hooper is another one, and the hatred only increased whenever he won John Eales medals or the two times he was nominated world player of the year.

I reckon it is because our forwards are technically and mentally weak they put it all on one player who they think should make way for the messiah.

Same for the general team performance and the hate put on players like White, Lolesio, and Foley who should be pulling rabbits out of the hat every play.

I reckon, if we had of had 5 players with Hooper’s desire and drive spread across the team (and especiallythe forwards), we wouldn’t have woken up in the bottom of the ditch.

37 Go to comments

RedWarriors 9 days ago

'What he’s given to this club is nothing short of incredible'

He shouldn’t have been picked. Not physically able for the most intense matches notably in Twickenham last year. Giving him the captaincy was also a very short sighted decision then after RWC 2023. Ireland have a tendency to be a little too loyal, which can mean the team ages and the rebuild is bigger than should be.

Plenty of lads out there to fill that squad.

4 Go to comments

OJohn 9 days ago

Geoff Parling returns to Leicester as head coach

Hooray

0 Go to comments

Carlos 9 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

He was also a YC magnet.

37 Go to comments

Carlos 9 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Windsor-Faulkner-Price. 😊

37 Go to comments

Solenn Bonnet 9 days ago

Leinster cleanse palette with record URC scoreline against Zebre

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0 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 9 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Ah, the Pooler front row ! Most legendary in the history of the , I would think. Max Boyce helped…”Here we. here we, here we go, with the Pontypool front row.”

37 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 9 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Would not go as far as whole house in our family, but for me, yes, W1. Loved playing in the scrum, love watching now😀

37 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 9 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Yes, I see that article here on RP, Nick. That is good news that Schmidt is going to look at the o’seas players.

Yes, I would think you are right that LAR will qualify. On the same points as MP, but surely they are too good not to win this crunch game….could be tEnse for ROG in the stands though.

37 Go to comments

BC 9 days ago

Who would make it into a Women's British and Irish Lions starting XV?

I would pick Oifa Wafer at 6, put Aldcroft in the second row with Ward. I think Wafer is one of the few non-England players mentioned that would contend for a Red Rose shirt, the others being King and possibly Neve Jones. Conversely there are two English players mentioned, Sing and Venner, that probably won’t even make the Red Rose WC squad, let alone a Lions Tour. Still a lot can change in two years, watch out for Millie David.

1 Go to comments

Otagoman II 9 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Great article NB, thanks. I would like to know what is the reasoning why so many things are penalties in the scrum. Is it to do with safety or something else?

37 Go to comments

NB 9 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

👍