Sharks Clinch EPCR Challenge Cup Final Victory
On May 24, 2024, the Sharks, led by head coach John Plumtree, clinched a stunning 36-22 victory over Gloucester Rugby in the EPCR Challenge Cup Final at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, England. In the celebratory aftermath, Sharks hooker Bongi Mbonambi was spotted sharing a beer with the ecstatic fans, encapsulating the team’s triumph.
Logistical Challenges for South African Teams
Plumtree, however, struck a more pensive tone in his post-match remarks, acknowledging the substantial logistical hurdles South African teams face when competing in European tournaments.
“This is not an easy competition for the South African teams,” he stated. “There is a lot of travelling, and we have been away from home for about three months, which is not a level playing field.”
The Sharks head coach emphasized the need for the organizers of European competitions to address these challenges, ensuring South African sides can compete on equal terms.
“A few things need to be ironed out in terms of levelling it up a little bit,” Plumtree said. “Hopefully, it will be done in the next year or two.”
Executing the Game Plan
Despite the team’s grueling schedule, the Sharks executed their game plan to perfection, successfully negating Gloucester’s perceived strength up front.
“We wanted to apply a lot of pressure up-front because we knew it would probably be their strength, so by taking that away, we knew we would have a good chance,” Plumtree explained. “The scrum was outstanding, and the front row’s drive was very good, and they earned the rewards for it.”
Looking Ahead
The Sharks’ triumph in the EPCR Challenge Cup Final provided a silver lining to a challenging United Rugby Championship campaign, where they have recorded just four wins from 17 matches ahead of the final round. Plumtree’s focus now turns to addressing the logistical hurdles faced by South African rugby union teams in European competitions, hoping for a more level playing field in the years to come.
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