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Sharks head on European tour without Springboks, but strengthened by players returning from injury
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Sharks head on European tour without Springboks, but strengthened by players returning from injury

The Sharks team has embarked on a three-match European tour, leaving behind the Springboks players. Nevertheless, coach JP Pietersen received support thanks to the return of several key athletes after injuries.

The Durban-based team will begin its tour against Lyon in the Champions Cup on Saturday (at 14:00), after which it will travel to Wales to face Cardiff in the United Rugby Championship. The tour will conclude with a match against Munster in Ireland, also as part of the URC.

Pietersen formed a 28-man squad for the tour that excludes Springboks players: Eben Etzebeth, Ethan Hooker, Andre Esterhuizen, Ox Nche, Edwill van der Merwe, and Thomas du Toit.

These six participated directly in the Springboks vs Australia match in Perth, making a significant contribution to the Sharks' victory over Leinster and the subsequent defeat by the Stormers in Cape Town. They are currently undergoing a mandatory rest period before the Springboks' European tour in November, where they will participate in the Nations Championship.

Notable inclusions in the squad include forward Stefan Lewis, who is returning to the Sharks for the second time and preparing for his first match since his return, as well as former Stormers player Suleiman Hartzenberg.

The Sharks also gained reinforcements through the return from injury of Vincent Tsikutu, Jordan Hendricks, Emile van Heerden, and Jaco Williams. Hendricks' return is particularly timely, as flyhalf Visi Moyo is on the injury list due to a shoulder injury sustained in the match against the Stormers.

Moyo joins Feps Buthelezi, Fes Mbate, Hendre Stassen, Makazole Mapimpi, and Yaw Penxe on the injury list. Pietersen previously announced a squad of 67 players before the start of the season, providing the Sharks with significant squad depth during the team's absence on tour. As the physical demands of three matches in three weeks can have a strong impact, additional reinforcements may be deployed as the tour progresses.

Pietersen will select his team to face Lyon from a group consisting of 17 forwards and 11 backliners. Lyon, the 2022 Champions Cup winner, ranks eighth in the French Top 14 after six rounds. They will host the 2024 Champions Cup winners at the Stade de Gerland stadium, which has a capacity of 35,000, on Saturday in Group 3.

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Sharks defeat Leinster in White Rock Championship match with a score of 26-20
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Sharks defeat Leinster in White Rock Championship match with a score of 26-20

In the United Rugby Championship tournament, the Sharks secured a convincing victory over Leinster with a score of 26-20 at Kings Park stadium. The Sharks' head coach, JP Pietersen, gambled on the return of players from the Springboks team, and this choice brought the team a decisive advantage.

Although attention before the match was focused on how the young defensive line of the Durban team would cope with the championship defenders, the outcome of the game ultimately depended on the dominance of the forwards and moments of brilliant play by the Springboks players.

The foundation for the victory was laid in the early actions when prop Vincent Koch, a World Champion, and the starting lineup dismantled the experienced Irish front row during the scrum. The superiority in secured possession paid off in the 26th minute when winger Manu Tsituka scored a touchdown after a pass from Jayden Hendrix, following powerful five-meter pressure in the scrum.

The young Sharks players demonstrated their potential closer to halftime: fullback Luan Gilloommi made a superb pass to winger Litelile 'Lilly' Bester, who scored in the left corner, allowing the home team to go into halftime with a 14-7 lead.

UNITED RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP

The second half saw Leinster manage to regain momentum. Thomas Clarkson managed to break the line in the 48th minute, and then substitute playmaker Sam Prendergast converted a penalty, giving the Irish giants their first lead of the evening—15-14.

As the pace of the game began to slow down, the international players on whom Pietersen had bet started playing a decisive role. The climax came in the 69th minute when Springboks winger Edwil van der Merwe initiated a counterattack from deep in the field, driving the play towards the center before connecting with Eben Etzebeth.

The tall lock broke through the Leinster defense with a dummy and then executed a perfectly timed pass, allowing captain Andre Esterhuizen to break through the try line. Van der Merwe sealed this triumph in the 77th minute by making a sensational interception near the center of the field and running into the scoring zone, securing the win with a bonus point and ending a five-match losing streak against the Irish rivals.

Goals were scored as follows: Sharks — Manu Tsituka, Lilly Bester, Andre Esterhuizen, Edwil van der Merwe (conversions: Wusi Moyo (3)). Leinster — Robbie Henshaw, Thomas Clarkson, Andrew Osborne (conversion: Kaspar Gabriel, Penalty: Sam Prendergast).

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