Sharks a dark horse for URC success?
OPINION: The Sharks are in a strong position in the United Rugby Championship to ensure a top-four finish and push to claim the title this season.
The Durban-based side finally got the proverbial monkey off their back last season by winning their first intercontinental championship by claiming the EPCR Challenge Cup.
They turned their fortunes around following a dismal 2023/4 URC season – finishing 14th out of 16 sides, recording a mere four wins.
The 2024/5 season is already a vast improvement.
Currently in fourth place on 34 log points, one behind the Bulls with 10 matches played, the Sharks can also make inroads on defending champions Glasgow Warriors, who have played 11 matches and are eight points clear on 42.
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Their next eight URC matches include four home games and clashes away to the likes of Scarlets, Lions, Edinburgh and Ulster should be a target to pick up at least 10 points out of a possible 20 – if not the full house.
Their home games against the Lions, Zebre, Leinster and Ospreys should be a four-from-four target, but three-from-four would still give them a massive boost on the URC table.
Despite a lengthy injury list, the Sharks have shown great improvement following their shaky start to the season.
Their victory over more fancied Bulls at Loftus Versfeld last weekend proved that they have the player depth and quality.
In Super Rugby, the Sharks participated in four Finals and came off second-best in all of them.
The unbeaten Leinster will be tough to beat home or away, but with a bit of fortune, the Sharks could have most of their injured players back towards the back end of the season and claim their first URC title in 2025.
