Sharks captain Siya Kolisi believes that the resilience shown by his team in recent weeks has set the perfect foundation for their highly anticipated United Rugby Championship (URC) semifinal against the Bulls at Loftus Versfeld this Saturday evening. Despite facing criticism for inconsistent performances earlier in the campaign, the Durban outfit have clawed their way into the final four. This was achieved through sheer determination and grit.
Sharks Riding Wave of Momentum
Their quarterfinal win over Munster last weekend, settled in a nerve-wracking penalty shootout after 100 minutes of rugby ended 24-24, is just the latest example of their fighting spirit. In fact, four of their last five matches have gone down to the wire, yet the Sharks have emerged victorious each time. Often they come from behind to seal the win. Notable turnarounds against Edinburgh, Ulster, Scarlets, and now Munster have proven that this squad has the steel to survive high-pressure moments.
Character Built Through Adversity
Siya Kolisi, a two-time Rugby World Cup winner, credits the team’s development and squad depth for their recent success. Speaking ahead of the Loftus showdown, he reflected on the value of learning to win ugly.
“We’ve discovered something special about ourselves – that we can stay in the fight. In the past, we might have lost those close contests, but now we’re finding ways to win,” Kolisi said.
He praised the squad’s growth, particularly the contributions of fringe players who have stepped up when called upon. “I remember our game against the Bulls at home in December when we were missing several key players. The guys who came in really stood tall, and that’s been a theme all season.”
Kolisi also acknowledged that while their performances haven’t always been polished, the results speak for themselves. “People will always have opinions about how we play. But what counts is winning, especially on the road where it’s never easy, like we did in Edinburgh and Ulster.”
Not Underestimating the Bulls
Siya Kolisi is well aware of the threats posed by the Bulls, who boast a strong pack and potent backline. While the Sharks have beaten their Pretoria rivals twice already this season, the skipper knows that nothing is guaranteed in knockout rugby.
“We’ve studied them and we know their strengths,” he said. “They’re dominant from lineouts and mauls, and their loose forwards have been excellent. Cameron Hanekom is having a standout season. Players like Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Ruan Nortje, and Marcell Coetzee make them formidable up front.”
Kolisi also highlighted the impact of the Bulls’ backline, led by the experienced Willie le Roux and the dangerous Embrose Papier at scrumhalf. “Their ability to counter-attack and punish turnovers means we have to be sharp across the field.”
Sticking to Their Game Plan
Despite the strengths of their opponents, Kolisi insists that the Sharks will focus on their own game rather than being reactive.
“It’s tough to plan for a team with so many weapons, so we’re concentrating on executing our strategy. If we play our game to the best of our ability, we believe we can reach the final.”
With their confidence surging and a string of comeback victories behind them, the Sharks will be banking on their trademark resilience. They aim to carry this resilience past the Bulls in what promises to be a ferocious all-South African semifinal battle.
Also read: Bulls vs Sharks: URC Knockout Clash Promises Another Thriller
