Sharks stock up on champs for Euro trip

John Plumtree has named a 27-man Sharks squad, brimming with 2024 Currie Cup title-winners, for a three-week tour to Europe in the Vodacom URC.

The Sharks edged the Lions at Ellis Park on Saturday, securing the Durbanites’ first title in rugby’s oldest competition since 2018.

The dust has hardly settled on the victory and the KZN outfit must shift focus to the URC, which begins for all four South African teams this week.

Plumtree has selected 15 forwards and 12 backs for the trip overseas. The team were scheduled to depart on Monday, and will skippered by loose forward Vincent Tshituka.

The Sharks will kick off their campaign in Galway on Saturday when they face Connacht, before tackling Welsh club, the Dragons, and then finishing up against Italian side Benetton.

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Plumtree said the Sharks have taken valuable lessons from their recent Currie Cup experience that stand them in good stead abroad.

“Winning right at the end of the game is one of the moments that gives us confidence,” he explained.

“To have come to Joburg for the final, lost and then hop on a plane for Ireland wouldn’t have been great, fortunately that’s not the case. So, we will all cherish the memory, everyone who had a hand in getting us to the end.

“We’ve found belief but it’s going to be tough emotionally and physically getting off this high.

“The other job for me now is getting the players back down to earth because we know what a tough game we have in Galway. Connacht will be waiting for us, they’ll be excited about playing at home.”