The Hollywoodbets Sharks faced the Ospreys in a crucial United Rugby Championship (URC) clash at Kings Park in Durban on the evening of May 9, 2025. Despite missing four key Springbok players, the Sharks emerged victorious with a solid 29-10 win, keeping their playoff hopes alive.
Sharks coach John Plumtree was without the services of Springbok stars Ox Nche, Lukhanyo Am, Jordan Hendrikse, and Grant Williams for this match. However, he expressed optimism that these players would return soon, especially with the Sharks set to host the Scarlets next week. "We’re hopeful that the second Springbok alignment camp will provide a gap for our injured players to recover for the quarter-finals," said Plumtree.
Scrumhalf Grant Williams was nursing a neck complaint, while flyhalf Hendrikse had a sore back. Centre Am was dealing with a knee issue, and loosehead prop Nche was sidelined with the flu. Am’s injury was particularly concerning as it stemmed from a previous match against Ulster, where he had fluid drained from his knee. Plumtree noted that Am is expected to be fit for the Scarlets game next week.
The Ospreys came into the match looking to secure a playoff spot, currently sitting in 11th place in the standings. They started strong, with Dan Edwards kicking an early penalty to give the visitors a 3-0 lead. However, the Sharks quickly responded. After a series of attacks, Jason Jenkins burrowed through the Ospreys’ defense to score the opening try, with Siya Masuku converting to make it 7-3.
Things took a dramatic turn when Ospreys scrumhalf Kieran Hardy appeared to score a try shortly after, but it was disallowed due to a knock-on. This miss proved costly as the Sharks capitalized on their momentum. Andre Esterhuizen powered over for the Sharks’ second try, extending their lead to 14-3 with Bongi Mbonambi adding the conversion.
As the first half progressed, the Sharks continued to dominate, displaying strong forward play and solid defense. The Ospreys struggled to break through, with the Sharks’ defense nullifying their attacking threats. At halftime, the Sharks led 14-3, looking poised to secure the win.
The second half began with the Sharks maintaining their momentum. Masuku’s tactical kicking kept the Ospreys pinned in their half. The Sharks’ pressure paid off when Ethan Hooker scored the Sharks’ third try, following a chaotic sequence where the Ospreys failed to deal with a high ball. Masuku converted, extending the lead to 21-3.
The Ospreys finally found some success when replacement Sam Parry scored their first try of the match, reducing the deficit to 21-10 after Edwards converted. However, the Sharks quickly responded with a try from Phepsi Buthelezi, who finished a well-executed play that involved a kick-pass from Masuku. This brought the score to 26-10.
In the dying moments of the match, Masuku added a penalty to seal the Sharks’ victory at 29-10. The win was crucial for the Sharks as they look to secure a home quarter-final, potentially against their local rivals, the Stormers.
Despite the victory, the match was marred by injury concerns, particularly for Sharks lock Eben Etzebeth. The veteran second-rower, who had just returned from a lengthy injury layoff, sustained another knee injury during the match. After receiving treatment, he was unable to continue and was seen on crutches post-match. Plumtree acknowledged the concern regarding Etzebeth’s fitness, stating, "We’ll have to wait for the medical team’s report, but it doesn’t look good."
With the playoffs approaching, the Sharks will need to navigate these injury challenges carefully. Plumtree emphasized the importance of resting players for the upcoming matches while also maintaining their competitive edge. "We want to give our injured players the best chance to recover, but we also need to keep our momentum going," he said.
Looking ahead, the Sharks will face the Scarlets next week, and a win there will solidify their position for the playoffs. Meanwhile, the Ospreys will need to regroup quickly as they prepare for their next match against the Lions, where they must win to stay in the playoff hunt.
The Sharks’ win over the Ospreys not only boosts their confidence but also highlights the depth of their squad, with players stepping up in the absence of key figures. With the playoffs looming, every match is crucial, and the Sharks will be eager to build on this performance.
