A potential EPCR title win for the Sharks in London on Friday cannot detract from their dismal performances in the Vodacom URC this season, writes MARK KEOHANE.
The Durbanites will have all the motivation they need to triumph in the Challenge Cup final against Gloucester at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, when history beckons as they aim to become the first South African team to win the title.
John Plumtree’s charges will draw inspiration from the fact that they have been superior on attack over the English outfit, with 256 points scored with an average of 4.7 tries per game, to Gloucester’s 192 (average 2.6 tries per game).
Led by Springbok speedster Makazole Mapimpi, whose five tries this season places him joint-second on the try-scorers list behind Benetton’s Onisi Ratave (six), the Sharks have scored the most tries of any team this season.
KEO: SA’s unsung URC heroes invaluable assets
Writing for TimesLIVE, Keohane claims that the Sharks’ struggle with offensive efficiency in the URC will be the main focus in their post-season evaluations, arguing that their attack has declined significantly since the inaugural campaign in 2021-22.
He highlights that the Stormers have been the most consistent South African team in the URC, winning the title in 2021-22 and reaching the finals last season.
According to Keohane, the Vodacom Bulls have shown the most improvement, along with the Lions, especially in try-scoring and defense.
“The Challenge Cup is not the Champions Cup. Context is critical for the Sharks because a Challenge Cup title cannot act as a plaster for the bodily harm done in the URC this season,” he writes.
“Friday night’s match does not carry the gravitas of Saturday night’s gladiatorial showdown, but it does matter for a Sharks team desperate to take something from a dismal URC league campaign.
“The URC performances is where the greatest focus will be on a Sharks season review, and the Sharks URC league failure to launch on attack seems to be the key to their issues, with 329 points and 45 tries in 17 games well below the standard.
The Sharks have seesawed in three URC league campaigns and their attack efficiency has plummeted from 510 points in the first season to 329 points in the third season. Their defense efficiency in season three has stabilised after they shipped 51 tries in the second season, compared to 45 this season.”
Photo: Steve Haag Sports/Gallo Images
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Src: sarugbymag.co.za
