Northern Edition

Select Edition

Northern Northern
Southern Southern
Global Global
New Zealand New Zealand
France France

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

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.

ADVERTISEMENT

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…

Video Spacer

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.

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).

ADVERTISEMENT

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

ADVERTISEMENT

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

In other news:

Video Spacer
ADVERTISEMENT

LIVE

{{item.title}}

Trending on RugbyPass

Comments

0 Comments
Be the first to comment...

Join free and tell us what you really think!

Sign up for free
ADVERTISEMENT

Latest Features

Comments on RugbyPass

J
JW 30 minutes ago
'Passionate reunion of France and New Zealand shows Fabien Galthie is wrong to rest his stars'

Where? I remember saying "unders"? The LNR was formed by the FFR, if I said that in a way that meant the 'pro' side of the game didn't have an equal representation/say as the 'amateur' side (FFR remit) that was not my intent.


But also, as it is the governing body, it also has more responsibility. As long as WR looks at FFR as the running body for rugby in France, that 'power' will remain. If the LNR refuses to govern their clubs use of players to enable a request by FFR (from WR) to ensure it's players are able to compete in International rugby takes place they will simply remove their participation. If the players complain to the France's body, either of their health and safety concerns (through playing too many 'minutes' etc) or that they are not allowed to be part in matches of national interest, my understanding is action can be taken against the LNR like it could be any other body/business. I see where you're coming from now re EPCR and the shake up they gave it, yes, that wasn't meant to be a separate statement to say that FFR can threaten them with EPCR expulsion by itself, simply that it would be a strong repercussion for those teams to be removed (no one would want them after the above).


You keep bringing up these other things I cannot understand why. Again, do you think if the LNR were not acting responsibly they would be able to get away with whatever they want (the attitude of these posters saying "they pay the players")? You may deem what theyre doing currently as being irresponsible but most do not. Countries like New Zealand have not even complained about it because they've never had it different, never got things like windfall TV contracts from France, so they can't complain because theyre not missing out on anything. Sure, if the French kept doing things like withholding million dollar game payments, or causing millions of dollars of devaluation in rights, they these things I'm outlining would be taking place. That's not the case currently however, no one here really cares what the French do. It's upto them to sort themselves out if they're not happy. Now, that said, if they did make it obvious to World Rugby that they were never going to send the French side away (like they possibly did stating their intent to exclude 20 targeted players) in July, well then they would simply be given XV fixtures against tier 2 sides during that window and the FFR would need to do things like the 50/50 revenue split to get big teams visiting in Nov.

305 Go to comments
LONG READ
LONG READ Despite defeat in Paris, the real reason the All Blacks are feeling upbeat Despite defeat in Paris, the real reason the All Blacks are feeling upbeat
Search