VIDEO: Sharks gunning to break Stormers' URC streak
SPOTLIGHT: The Sharks will travel to Cape Town on a mission to get their season back on track and break the Stormers’ unbeaten run in the United Rugby Championship, according to Springbok hooker Bongi Mbonambi.
The coastal rivals shared some memorable matches throughout their history and made a habit of defeating each other at their opponent’s home ground during the Super Rugby era.
However, since participating in the URC, the Stormers have dominated the Durban-based side, winning six matches from their eight clashes, with the Sharks securing a solitary win in Durban last season, as well as a draw in their first outing in the tournament in 2022.
The Sharks never won against the Stormers in Cape Town during the URC era, but they’ve come close in their last two outings, losing by one and four points, respectively.
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They’ve also gone through a transition period midway through the current campaign, following the departure of former head coach John Plumtree, with Springbok JP Pietersen taking the reins, which has seen a resurgence in the performances of the Sharks.
Mbonambi said the team prepared well so far, and they aim to perform in Cape Town to get their season back on track.
He also stated that a victory against the Stormers would be “special” for the players and Pietersen.
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“It would mean so much to us. Not just to us as players but also to coach JP [Pietersen] stepping into the big role he has and the work he has done with the players,” Mbonambi told @Rugby365.
“It would be quite special, but it’s not going to happen by itself. It will take a lot of effort and hard work.
“For the last two days, yesterday [Monday] and today [Tuesday], the guys have been putting in the work, ensuring everyone gets their detail right.
“It will be a special trip down there, but also not just this weekend, but the following weekend also.
“You always want to back up a good performance with another good performance.
“But as they say in this sport, ‘you’re as good as your last game’, so we’ll look past the last game and look forward to the challenge in Cape Town.”
Mbonambi is also under no illusions about what the Stormers will bring and expects the log leaders to come out firing on home turf.
“I’m expecting the Stormers to come out charging through the doors. We know they’re a good side and would want a fast start.
“They’ve got some good quality young players coming through, and they’ve got experienced [players] also.”
