Sharks Coach JP Pietersen Praises Returning Springboks After Back-to-Back URC Wins
- The Sharks secured bonus-point victories against the Ospreys and defending champions Leinster in their opening two URC matches
- Several Springboks returned to the matchday squad for the Leinster clash, with key figures recalled to both the starting line-up and the bench
- Head coach JP Pietersen singled out the contributions of his returning Boks as the Sharks climbed to the top of the URC standings
- Briefly News spoke exclusively to a rugby analyst, Thabang Mokoena, on the derby
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Sharks head coach JP Pietersen has heaped praise on his returning Springbok players following his side's dominant start to the 2026/27 United Rugby Championship (URC) season, calling the team's early form "unreal".
The Sharks opened their campaign with a 41-24 bonus-point win over the Ospreys before backing it up with another bonus-point victory at home against defending champions Leinster. The consecutive wins lifted the Durban-based side to the top of the URC table with 10 points from two matches, one point clear of Cardiff, the Lions and Edinburgh.
Springboks make immediate impact
For the Leinster match, Pietersen welcomed back several Springbok internationals. Captain Andre Esterhuizen, Edwill van der Merwe and Thomas du Toit all returned to the starting XV, while Ox Nche, Eben Etzebeth and Ethan Hooker were named among the replacements.
The returning Boks played pivotal roles in the win. Esterhuizen crossed for a try set up by a brilliant combination between Van der Merwe and Etzebeth, a moment that Pietersen admitted caught him off guard. Van der Merwe then secured the bonus point in the closing stages with an intercept try.
"They never looked off," Pietersen said.
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"I didn't even know what was happening and Andre scored. And Edwill van der Merwe finished it off with that intercept try. It shows what they bring."
System Producing Results
Pietersen was equally complimentary about the broader squad's discipline and collective buy-in, crediting the team's structure for allowing the Springboks space to express themselves.
"The rest of the group is all about doing the right thing, letting the system work. And the Springboks do what they need to do," he said.
The turnaround in form will be particularly encouraging for Sharks supporters, given that the side finished 10th in the URC standings at the end of the 2025/26 season. While it remains early days in the new campaign, the perfect start has the Sharks firmly in the conversation among the early frontrunners.
Speaking to Briefly News, rugby analyst Thabang Mokoena discussed the Sharks' impressive start to the 2026/27 United Rugby Championship season, highlighting their ability to combine individual quality with effective team play.
"The Sharks deserve credit for the way they performed against Leinster. They did not rely on one moment alone. Their scrum put Leinster under pressure, and when the opportunity came late in the game, Eben Etzebeth and André Esterhuizen produced a crucial attacking moment. Edwill van der Merwe's intercept then helped secure the bonus point."
Bulls face difficult week before Lions clash
Briefly News previously reported that Vodacom Bulls coach Johan Ackermann admitted his side had endured a difficult week ahead of their URC clash against the Lions at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday, 10 October 2026.
The Bulls returned from Ireland after facing Munster, with long travel and illness affecting preparations. Ackermann said several players were unable to train, adding another challenge before a key Jukskei derby.
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Source: Briefly News
