#AUDIO: Exhausted Sharks to adjust program for Bulls says Plum

REACTION: The Sharks’ dramatic penalty shootout against Munster at Kings Park has left head coach John Plumtree ‘exhausted’.

It was not the quarterfinal either team would have wanted, given that the winner now has to travel to Loftus Versfeld to take on an in-form Bulls outfit in the semifinal.

NERVES OF STEEL 😤

🙌 Bradley Davids wins the kicking competition to send @SharksRugby to the Semi-Finals, after a CHAOTIC contest! #BKTURC | #URC | #SHAvMUN pic.twitter.com/C29d2cGFq4

— BKT United Rugby Championship (URC) (@URCOfficial) May 31, 2025

However, with the Sharks and Munster locked at 24-all after 80 minutes of Saturday’s quarterfinal, neither side could find a winning score during the 20 minutes of extra time. With both teams having scored three tries, the match therefore went to a penalty shootout.

The teams had to choose three designated kickers, with each kicker given two shots at goal from various distances and angles.

Jaden Hendrikse, Jordan Hendrikse, and Bradley Davids were successful with all of their attempts for the Sharks, while Jack Crowley and Conor Murray were successful for Munster.

However, Rory Scannell missed his first attempt, which ultimately proved decisive as the Sharks won 6–4 on penalties.

*Article continues below…

“Even in my long career, I’ve never seen anything like that,” Plumtree said in the wake of the quarterfinal clash.

“I’m exhausted. That was a tough 100-plus minutes.

“I’m just glad we had those boys on the pitch kicking for goal—the Hendrikse brothers and Bradley [Davids], who came off the bench. He played a minute and then had to kick a couple of crucial goals, including the winning one.

“The plan was to get Bradley on and sub Makazole Mapimpi. JP Pietersen was in the coaching box and was confident that Brad was going to do the job.

“It was a little frustrating, it came down to that.”

He added: “It was never a plan we as coaches discussed during the week, but Neil [Powell, Sharks Director of Rugby] had a pitch plan and knew which side the boys would be more comfortable on.

“And everyone was pretty calm in the coaching box.

“I was hopeful it wouldn’t get to that, because during the first half of extra time, we dominated territory and possession, but didn’t take the opportunity.

“I was a little frustrated, and as I said, it shouldn’t have come down to place-kicking.

“However, there were a lot of tired bodies, and I am proud of how everyone kept calm and trusted the plan.”

The Sharks scored three tries and could’ve had more. However, their predictable and individual errors, especially in the opposition 22, nullified their efforts.

Trailing 0–7 at the break, the Sharks gained some vital momentum and clawed their way back in the second half. Ethan Hooker, Aphelele Fassi, and Fez Mbatha got their names on the scoresheet in the second-half.

“Fifteen minutes before half-time we started gaining the momentum we needed. We had the possession and started looking like we were getting on top of them.

“Although we were calm in the change rooms – we’ve been in that spot the last few weeks – we needed to tidy up a few things.

“The main issue was that when we got momentum, we played too deep. In the second half, we started playing a little flatter and were a bit more dangerous.

“I thought we were the best attacking team out there, even if we didn’t take all our opportunities. So it puts us in good stead for next week.”

Most would argue that playing more than 100 minutes puts the Sharks at a slight disadvantage ahead of their semifinal clash against the Bulls next week at Loftus Versfeld.

However, in the wake of the game, Plumtree revealed he is not thinking about next week just yet, but will certainly have to rejig the training schedule.

“We will get the group together on Monday and see how everybody is doing.

“We might have to adjust our program a little.”

In terms of injuries, Plumtree revealed that Grant Williams’ return has yet to be confirmed.

The Springbok has been struggling with a neck injury and missed the quarterfinal clash.