KEEP THE FIRE BURNING
With a home quarter already locked in, the Hollywoodbets Sharks have one last assignment left as far as the regular Vodacom URC season is concerned. It is imperative, though, that John Plumtree’s charges maintain their upward momentum against Scarlets tonight - especially with the home side still in with a chance of finishing third on the table…
Although they were made to work hard for victory, the Hollywoodbets Sharks last Friday managed to convincingly see off the Ospreys 29-10 to secure a top-four finish in this year’s Vodacom United Rugby Championship, thereby also ensuring a home quarter-final at the end of this month.
The home side bagged a bonus point, too, when Phepsi Buthelezi crossed for a fourth try in the 65th minute of last week’s game, which may come in handy in the quest for third place. As things stand currently on the table, the Hollywoodbets Sharks (58) are just a single championship point adrift of the third-placed defending champions, the Glasgow Warriors, who are up against Irish giants, Leinster, in Dublin later tonight.
Plumtree described the team’s performance last week against the visitors from Swansea, Wales, as workmanlike, highlighting the
To be sure, the side from the market town of Llanelli will be no pushovers, as their comprehensive 32-19 dismantling of the Lions in Johannesburg last Saturday indicates. The Scarlets kept their hopes of advancing through to the quarter-finals alive on the Highveld with an impressive full haul of championship points.
The Hollywoodbets Sharks will have to keep a close check on Wales fullback Blair Murray, who displayed magnificent attacking flair from the back to run in a brace of tries against the Lions, while No. 8 Taine Plumtree (Does the name ring a bell?) and centre Johnny Williams also dotted down each. Flyhalf Sam Costelow was on target with a neat dropped goal, as well as three conversions and a penalty, and will duly punish any indiscretions by the home side tonight.
importance of playing the percentages in damp conditions like that on Friday.
“It became a kicking battle, a set-piece battle, with the intent of keeping the ball in front of the forwards and maintaining our defence,” he said.
“I thought we were pretty good in that space. We had to grind it out.”
The focus will be on continuous improvement on the way forward and more particularly with a view to the knockout stages of the tournament.
The Hollywoodbets Sharks host yet another Welsh outfit in the Shark Tank tonight and the outing against the Scarlets offers ample opportunity for the Durbanites to step up their game a few notches more.
"IT BECAME A KICKING BATTLE, A SET-PIECE BATTLE, WITH THE INTENT OF KEEPING THE BALL IN FRONT OF THE FORWARDS..."
The Scarlets pack, spearheaded by the backrow combination of Plumtree, who was Man of the Match when his side shocked Leinster three weeks ago, captain Josh Macleod and Vaea Fifita, laid the platform for victory at Ellis Park with super-quick phase ball.
The breakdown battle therefore promises to be fast and furious yet again tonight, but Siya Kolisi, Vincent Tshituka, James Venter and the rest of the pack in black should be more than up for the challenge.
THIS IS BIG
Besides the fact that the Hollywoodbets Sharks are on the verge of possible glory on the Vodacom URC stage, veteran centre Francois Venter is also on the threshold of making his 50th appearance for the men in black today…
In 2023, shortly after Francois Venter had arrived in Durban from the Worcester Warriors, he emphasised the importance of being part of something bigger than yourself - something that has been a recurring theme in the illustrious 15year career of the 34-year-old centre.
“I’ve been so blessed throughout my career,” he says.
“Naturally, there have been tough times, too, but at the end of the day it has been a learning curve, and I’ve had so many great experiences, that I am merely grateful. Time flies so quickly and one has to make the best of every opportunity that comes your way.”
Since 2022, when Venter joined forces with the Hollywoodbets Sharks, quite a bit has changed in the Shark Tank.
“A couple of things, yes,” he chuckles.
“During my first two weeks here, I still worked under Sean Everitt, but then followed a period of significant change and, indeed, some uncertainty. It is always tough when a change of coach happens in mid-season.
“With Plum (John Plumtree) coming in, a lot of lessons have been learnt. Initially, we played well but should have won more games than we did.
“We had to smooth out certain aspects of our approach and figure out what works and what doesn’t.
“Most importantly, we managed to establish an identity as a group, with more players taking responsibility for their actions. The operative word was consistency.
“Consistency in terms of both the coaching staff and players. We assembled a fantastic bunch of players, and last year’s EPCR Challenge Cup triumph was a turning point concerning the belief within the squad and the direction in which we are heading.
“We hadn’t enjoyed much success at the time, missing out on a top-eight finish in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship.
Thus, the Challenge Cup became our main priority, the players pulled together and winning the final at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium was simply amazing.
“Games like that are the reason why we play this game.
“Last year’s Carling Currie Cup campaign was also a highlight, even though I missed out on the final due to a red card.
“I am just so blessed to be walking this path with such great friends.”
There certainly have been a couple of highs of late yet Venter’s journey with the Hollywoodbets Sharks also comes with challenges, such as having to compete for the No. 12 jumper with big Springbok bruiser, André Esterhuizen.
“There will always be competition for spots in the side, but, in the bigger scheme of things, no side can be optimally competitive without at least two quality players in each position.
“Besides, André and I are different players in style and it has been good, both for
me and the Hollywoodbets Sharks, when he came. He is such an incredible player.”
When I last interviewed Venter two years ago, he said: “I have no doubt that success is just around the corner…”
And, now the Hollywoodbets Sharks have qualified for a home quarter-final and are fizzing for Vodacom URC glory.
“We’re still taking it from game to game,” he says.
“Our immediate focus is on seeing off the Scarlets, who will provide a stern test, to possibly still attain the third spot on the table.
“As a team, we seem to be peaking at the right time, we are playing better rugby and just need to keep building confidence. As always, consistency is key.”
As for reaching his half-century of caps for the men in black, Venter views it as a major blessing.
“The Hollywoodbets Sharks are one of the leading franchises in the country, as well as the Vodacom URC, so this milestone is a massive honour. I am also extremely thankful to so many people, without whose assistance and input I would never have come this far.”
HOLLYWOODBETS SHARKS PLAYER PROFILES
HOLLYWOODBETS SHARKS PLAYER PROFILES
HENDRIKSE BORN: 02/12/1995 HEIGHT: 2.03 m BORN: 23/03/2000 HEIGHT: 1.81m
JENKINS
124KG WEIGHT: 92KG
HOLLYWOODBETS SHARKS
APHELELE
ANDRE
JURENZO
MAKAZOLE
JADEN
PHEPSI
VINCENT
EMILE
SCARLETS PLAYER PROFILES
BORN: 30/03/1993 HEIGHT: 1.85 m WEIGHT: 114KG
27/10/1996
BORN: 07/01/1995 HEIGHT: 1.85m
30/10/1991 HEIGHT: 1.88m
SCARLETS PLAYER PROFILES
118KG
BORN: 10/05/2000 HEIGHT: 1.83m WEIGHT: 93KG
BORN: 17/12/1998 HEIGHT: 1.86 m WEIGHT: 86KG
09/10/2001 HEIGHT: 1.73m
121KG
BORN: 09/03/2000 HEIGHT: 1.95m BORN: 20/07/1991 HEIGHT: 1.99 m WEIGHT: 108KG
17/06/1992
BORN: 26/04/1997 HEIGHT: 1.98 m WEIGHT: 119KG BORN: 14/02/2003 HEIGHT: 1.73m
BORN: 29/07/1999 HEIGHT: 1.85m
BORN: 17/02/1997 HEIGHT: 1.86m BORN: 07/05/1998 HEIGHT: 1.82m
15/02/2001 HEIGHT: 1.88m
BORN: 17/09/1998 HEIGHT: 1.82m WEIGHT: 100KG WEIGHT: 101KG
BORN: 05/04/2001 HEIGHT: 1.78m BORN: 17/12/2004 HEIGHT: 1.78m
10/12/1997 HEIGHT: 1.77m
RYAN ELIAS
HENRY THOMAS
SAM LOUSI
ARCHIE HUGHES
ALEC HEPBURN
ALEX CRAIG
JOSH MACLEOD (C)
JARROD TAYLOR
DAN DAVIS
TOM ROGERS
JOE ROBERTS
BLAIR MURRAY
KEMSLEY MATHIAS
MARNUS VAN DER MERWE
MAJOR MATCHUP FASSI VS MURRAY
APHELELE FASSI
The Weekend Special is swiftly regaining top form following the ankle injury that sidelined him until recently, and he is as always licensed to thrill.
The rugby world has long been aware of Aphelele Fassi’s phenomenal attacking instincts, especially when he sets off on one of his lethal counter-attacks from the rear. No wonder that he finished last year’s Castle Lager Rugby Championship for South Africa as one of the top try-scorers in the competition.
The rangy fullback, however, has over the past couple of seasons also developed into a fear-some defender, who is quite formidable under the high ball. This renders him pretty much the complete package at No. 15 these days.
BLAIR MURRAY
One of the unluckiest players to miss out on selection for the British & Irish Lions tour to Australia later this year, Blair Murray is arguably the biggest dangerman in the Scarlets back division.
Nominated as one of the Swansea-based team’s players of the season, the 23-year-old has enjoyed a dream debut season in red. Not only is he one of the top try-scorers in the current Vodacom URC with a tally of eight, he also starred for Wales during an extremely difficult Six Nations campaign.
Equally at home on the wing, Murray has excelled in the fullback role of late, especially with his deadly counter-attacking - which bagged him a brace of tries against the Lions last week.
TAINE PLUMTREE
LIKE FATHER, LIKE SON
Thirty years ago a rangy Kiwi flanker by the name of John Plumtree was strutting his stuff for the Sharks at Kings Park. Today, Plumtree, head coach of the Hollywoodbets Sharks, is welcoming his son, Wales loosie Taine Plumtree, to the Shark Tank as a member of the visiting Scarlets team…
Although Taine Plumtree was born in Swansea on March 9, 2000, and grew up in his father’s native New Zealand, he spent six of his formative years in Durban, attending Northlands Primary School.
“I was six when Dad returned as forwards coach of the Sharks in 2006,” he recalls. “I loved growing up in Durbs, spending lots of time in the sun and on the beach, as well as going on game drives in the nearby nature reserves.”
Naturally, the young Plumtree grew up to be a passionate Sharks fan.
“Bismarck and Jannie du Plessis were my heroes,” he says. “The brothers lived just up the road from us in Gainsford Place, La Lucia, and were so kind to my brother and me. They often invited us over for PlayStation and had all the time of day for us.
“I also remember the 2007 Super 14 final as if it was yesterday. Bryan Habana scored the winning try at the death right in front of where I was sitting and, even though I was only seven years old, I remember being gutted.”
The youngster was equally devastated in 2013 when the family had to relocate to Dublin for his father to take up a coaching position with Ireland.
“Dad sat us down, explaining that we had three weeks to leave Durban. I was not sure how to handle it, as I was about to start my high school career at Kearsney College.
“I had no idea what Ireland was like either, apart from being freezing. The worst part was leaving our dogs.
“We moved into a tiny, three-bed apartment in Dublin, yet I ended up loving Ireland.” The family continued to follow John Plumtree around the world, with Taine completing his education in Wellington, New Zealand, where he would also launch his senior rugby career with the Lions and Blues.
With his contract with the Blues coming to an end two years ago, he received a call from Scarlets coach Dwayne Peel.
“It all happened pretty fast,” Plumtree recalls. “Warren Gatland, the Wales coach at the time, also got involved, which escalated things, and I ended up with barely two weeks to get all my stuff sorted, pack and move.”
The whirlwind journey continued, with Plumtree’s test debut for Wales following barely a month later, against England at Twickenham. Although a shoulder injury prevented him from attending Rugby World Cup 2023, he already boasts half a dozen caps for the Welsh national team and is certain to add significantly to that tally in years to come.
In the meantime, he is producing one stellar performance after the other for the Scarlets, such as his Man of the Match showing in the stunning 35-22 defeat of Irish giants, Leinster, three weeks ago.
And, Taine Plumtree has no hesitation in naming his father for having had the biggest influence on his career.
“Although I never had him as a coach, which is something I’d like at some point in my career, he has always loved watching us boys play, and is always available in the background to offer sound advice.”
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HOLLYWOODBETS SHARKS VS MUNSTER RUGBY | 41-24
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HOLLYWOODBETS SHARKS VS VODACOM BULLS | 20-17
DHL STORMERS VS HOLLYWOODBETS SHARKS | 24-20
CARDIFF RUGBY VS HOLLYWOODBETS SHARKS | 22-42
VODACOM BULLS VS HOLLYWOODBETS SHARKS | 19-29
EMIRATES LIONS VS HOLLYWOODBETS SHARKS | 38-14
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HOLLYWOODBETS SHARKS VS LEINSTER RUGBY | 7-10
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ULSTER RUGBY VS HOLLYWOODBETS
| 19-22
| 29-10
KINGS PARK
