Sharks prepare for a serious test against Leinster in the URC

JP Pietersen, coach of the Sharks team, believes that pre-match excitement is an important element for the young squad preparing for the new season. He urged the Durban players to accept the upcoming event rather than overthinking it, emphasizing that composure and adaptability are as crucial as months of preparation for the new season.

British Rugby Championship

Pietersen noted that the Sharks team will face a test of nerves during the match at Kings Park on Saturday. He stated that despite thorough three-month preseason training, rugby is a sport that cannot be entirely planned, and adaptation to game conditions is always required.

The coach stressed that the main task on match day is to control nerves and remain focused on the field. He reported that although the team is in good shape, there have been changes in the squad. Vusi Moyo has taken a spot in the starting ten after Jordan Hendricks' injury.

Pietersen expressed confidence in the young backline of the Sharks, where Vusi Moyo plays at ten, and Jurenzo Julius and Murray Koster form a new partnership in the midfield. Koster returned to Durban after four years spent in Japan, and Julius, known as 'The Boogey Man,' is one of the team's most promising young talents.

Moyo's selection at the halfback position was due to Jordan Hendricks, who participated in the last Sharks vs. Lions preseason match, being excluded from the squad due to a minor injury. Pietersen noted that Vusi demonstrated promising results throughout the preseason, leading the group well over three months.

In Pietersen's view, the young attacking players can provide energy and speed, while the forwards bring necessary experience to stabilize the game. He highlighted the combination of experience and youth in the team. The attacking line has much talent, energy, and speed, backed by the experience of players like Vincent Koch, Phepsi Buthelezi, Nick Hatton, and Manu Tshituka.

The Sharks team also has a strong bench, featuring experienced Springboks Jason Jenkins and Ivan van Zyl, ready to fulfill any role the game demands.

Sharks vs. Ospreys Match

Sharks will also have to face the Ospreys team, which reached the initial round through an unusual route. The Welsh side spent a week of preparation at high altitude in Johannesburg, then arrived in Durban on Friday, using the conditions of Highveld to improve their physical fitness before Saturday's game.

Pietersen speculated that they chose the high-altitude route to test their bodies, as they have a match against the Lions scheduled for the second week. The Sharks' central line will face an interesting challenge from Australian newcomers Ospreys—Lawson Creighton and Lalakai Foketi. Although Marika Korobete, a former Wallabies winger, was supposed to strengthen the visitors' attack, she withdrew from the squad due to visa issues.

Pietersen expects Foketi and Creighton to bring attacking instincts characteristic of Australian rugby into the game. He noted that both players are ready for the challenge. Foketi comes from the Chiefs, and judging by the Australian style of play in Super Rugby, they enjoy moving and retaining possession over several phases, which will be something to watch in the match.

Sharks vs. Ospreys Squad

The Sharks squad includes 15 Luan Giliomee, 14 Suleiman Hartzenberg, 13 Jurenzo Julius, 12 Murray Koster, 11 Litelihle Bester, 10 Vusi Moyo, 9 Jaden Hendrikse, 8 Nick Hatton (c), 7 Manu Tshituka, 6 Phepsi Buthelezi, 5 Darrien Landsberg, 4 Corne Rahl, 3 Vincent Koch, 2 Eduan Swart, 1 Phatu Ganyane. Reserves: 16 Esethu Mnebelele, 17 Nemo Roelofse, 18 Hanro Jacobs, 19 Jason Jenkins, 20 Matt Romao, 21 Ivan van Zyl, 22 Siya Masuku, 23 Zekhethelo Siyaya.

The Sharks have announced an attacking lineup for their debut match in the United Rugby Championship (URC) against Ospreys at the home ground of Kings Park. Sharks coach JP Pietersen decided to rely on young players, including many representatives from the Junior Springboks and graduates of the SA Under-20 system.

United Rugby Championship

In the starting backline seven, only 27-year-old Murray Coetser, who plays as an inside centre, lacked experience playing for the Junior Springboks. This demonstrates the strength of the young squad that Pietersen is fielding, marking his first full season as head coach of the Sharks.

The squad includes Jayden Hendrickse and Wusi Moyo at the halfback positions, while Coetser partners with Djurenzo Julius in the midfield. Liti Bester and former Stormers player Suleiman Hartzenberg start on the wings, and Luan Gillium is selected at fullback as the Durban-based team aims to utilize his potential before his imminent move to the Bulls.

This match marks an important moment for the Sharks, as they begin their URC campaign on home soil for the first time. Other Junior Bok players, including hooker Esethu Mnebhelele, who transitions from Pretoria, are also expected to feature off the bench.

Former Springboks, Bulls, and Saracens midfielder Ivan van Zyl will be in the reserves to support Hendrickse. Darren Landsberg will start at lock alongside Corne Raal, who joins from the Lions. Tighthead prop Nemo Roelofse, signed from Stade Français, is also ready to debut from the bench.

Despite some senior players such as Vincent Tsituka, Emile van Heerden, Stefan Levis, Jordan Hendrickse, and Fez Mbata being unavailable due to injuries, the Sharks managed to conduct continuous pre-season training. This allowed the team three months to strengthen technical cohesion and physical conditioning ahead of the new season.

Captain Nick Hatton noted that starting the season in Durban adds extra motivation. He stated: 'The start of the season is exciting, and the opportunity to start at home is really great. All teams want to start well, whether at home or away, but playing at home is incredibly thrilling. We have amazing fans, and we missed them, so we look forward to the game in front of our home crowd.'

Hatton emphasized that squad depth and stability will be paramount in overcoming both domestic and European commitments. He added: 'The URC is a long tournament, so squad strength and depth are important. We worked hard in the pre-season, and there is competition for places as we build a strong squad capable of competing in this league and in Europe. It is important to start well and then maintain that momentum. We want to become a stable team that trains and performs at a high level—that is the new standard for the Sharks that we aim for.'

Sharks vs Ospreys Squad

The starting Sharks lineup is as follows: 15 Luan Gillium, 14 Suleiman Hartzenberg, 13 Djurenzo Julius, 12 Murray Coetser, 11 Liti Bester, 10 Wusi Moyo, 9 Jayden Hendrickse, 8 Nick Hatton (cap), 7 Manu Tsituka, 6 Fepsy Butelezi, 5 Darren Landsberg, 4 Corne Raal, 3 Vincent Koch, 2 Eduan Swart, 1 Patu Ganyane. Reserves include: 16 Esethu Mnebhelele, 17 Nemo Roelofse, 18 Hanro Jacobs, 19 Jason Jenkins, 20 Matt Romao, 21 Ivan van Zyl, 22 Siyia Masuku, 23 Zeketelo Siyaya.

The era at the Sharks club where all responsibility for the professional rugby club's leadership rested on one captain is coming to an end. Ahead of the new United Rugby Championship (URC) season, coach JP Pietersen introduced an updated leadership structure that distributes duties between players on the field and those responsible for maintaining standards off the field.

South Africa's national team center, Andre Esterhuizen, remains the captain of the Sharks, which was expected after he was named Player of the Year by the players at last season's awards ceremony. However, he will now be supported by three deputies: Emil van Heerden, Nick Hatton, and Vincent Tsikuta. In the event of Esterhuizen's absence due to national team commitments or unavailability, Van Heerden, Hatton, or Tsikuta will take over the captaincy role.

Furthermore, another significant change has occurred: South Africa national veteran prop Vincent Koch and Fepsy Buthelezi have been appointed Club Captains. Their functions extend beyond game day and cover the training ground, gym, and locker room.

Sharks Leadership Structure

Pietersen believes that this structure ensures that leadership will no longer be concentrated in the hands of a single player but will become a collective responsibility. He noted: 'Andre was an outstanding leader, and I am absolutely confident that he will continue to set that standard on the field.' He added that the specialty of this group lies in squad depth: 'Emil, Nick, and Vincent Tsikuta will share this responsibility as deputies, while Vincent Koch and Fepsy Buthelezi will work alongside Andre and our coaching staff to raise standards.'

The Sharks coach has placed discipline, accountability, and respect at the core of his high-performance culture and wishes for every player to have a leader monitoring adherence to these norms. Pietersen emphasized: 'Every player in this squad has a leader next to them. This means that all of us—players and coaches—are accountable to each other. No one is above the standard; everyone adheres to it equally. This is the culture we will promote.'

Esterhuizen's role essentially corresponds to the traditional function of a captain: managing the game, making decisions under pressure, demanding discipline, and setting the physical level for teammates. The club captains carry a much broader mandate. Koch and Buthelezi will be custodians of the environment in which the Sharks prepare for games, helping to set standards in the locker room, gym, and training ground, acting as a link between the playing squad and the coaching and management groups. This is a deliberate attempt to ensure that the Sharks' identity does not depend on a single voice.

The new system also empowers two senior players with the responsibility of preserving team traditions while helping to define what the next generation of Sharks should inherit. For Pietersen, the message is clear: leadership is no longer the job of one person wearing the captain's armband. The Sharks will begin their URC season with a home match against the Ospreys on Saturday, September 26.