Pietersen: Sharks owe fans, Siya Kolisi strong finish in final game

Sharks head coach JP Pietersen said his team still had much to play for in their final United Rugby Championship match against Zebre Parma at Kings Park on Saturday (kick-off 1.45pm). mchezo.co.za

Though out of play-off contention since their defeat to Edinburgh last month, Pietersen asked his team to back up their bonus-point win over Benetton, while giving their fans something to look forward to next season.

He also wanted to send departing players Siya Kolisi, Grant Williams, Francois Venter, Le Roux Malan, Jean Smith, Marvin Orie, Luan Giliomee, Hakeem Kunene and Mawande Mdanda off on a high, while making Junior Springbok star Vusi Moyo’s first United Rugby Championship game something to remember.

Farewell and thank you for every carry, tackle, try and memory in black and white pic.twitter.com/qO4AlOgfiC

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– The Sharks (@SharksRugby) May 14, 2026

‘Not looking at the log’

After winning the URC SA Shield and reaching the semi-finals for the first time last year, the Sharks head into their final game 10th on the log this season, with no chance of moving up but able to drop as many as two places if they lose.

They could end with a maximum of eight wins: seven at home and one away to the Stormers. Not one victory came in Europe.

“We are not looking at the log, where we are at,” Pietersen said, adding that anything below the top eight was disappointing.

“We just want to put in a good performance on Saturday.”

He said he was eager to see how 19-year-old Moyo would perform at the next level.

Furthermore, with Makazole Mapimpi (concussion) and Edwill van der Merwe (ribs) joining the growing injury list, the back three now featured youngsters Zekethelo Siyaya, 18, Jaco Williams, 20, and Litelihle Bester, 22.

Pietersen said the trio, plus 22-year-old outside centre Jurius Jurenzo, would be marshalled by captain André Esterhuizen at inside centre.

“It’s important for this group to… send a message to fans about what we can do next season,” Pietersen said.

Farewell to Siya

“Also, to say goodbye to the guys who are leaving, like Siya Kolisi, who have put a lot of effort into the group… We want to make it special.

“Siya has been phenomenal for us the whole year. Whether injured or not playing, he’s contributed to the team.

“His knowledge and experience, there is so much you can take from him as the group and as a coach too. He’s been through difficult situations himself, where he had to pick up teams. It’s sad we’re losing him but I am grateful that I have a friend in him.

He’s a great player who represented the Sharks badge with pride every time he runs out onto the field. Even off the field he is there next to the field supporting the ladies and juniors if they play.”

Sharks will not underestimate Zebre

The Sharks have won four out of five matches against Zebre, but were almost stunned last season. They needed a Zebre yellow card and converted try late on to snatch the 35-34 win in Durban.

“It’s a difficult one for both teams. And we both want to finish on a high,” Pietersen added.

“Zebre is a dangerous team in transition, or when the ball is loose. They can punish you if you make mistakes. They have a good kick counter, and a pack that can operate. When they want to be physical they can be.

“As a group, we can’t take them lightly or we will come second-best.”

Nigeria forward Victor Osimhen has been challenged to join a team that is competing to win Champions League trophy.

The Super Eagle is currently turning out for Turkish Super Lig side Galatasaray after joining them on a permanent deal from Serie A outfit Napoli.

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While, he has helped Galatasaray to win the Turkish league title, Galatasaray was eliminated from the 2025-26 UEFA Champions League after a 4-0 defeat against Liverpool at Anfield and going out 4-1 on aggregate.

Osimhen has done enough at Galatasaray

“Victor Osimhen has done enough at Galatasaray. If he truly wants to become the best striker in the world, then he must move to a club that can compete seriously for the UEFA Champions League,” former Nigerian international Obinna Nsofor told Brila FM as quoted by Complete Sports.

“Right now, the only thing separating him from the very top is winning at the highest level in Europe. Galatasaray is a big club, nobody can deny that, but when you talk about clubs expected to win the UEFA Champions League, they are not among the favourites.

“Osimhen is already at the level where he should be competing with the very best strikers every single season.”

Osimhen had a dominant 2025-26 season with Galatasaray, securing the Turkish Süper Lig title and a domestic double, cementing his status as the team’s primary offensive weapon.

As of May 2026, he has scored 15 goals and delivered five assists in 22 games across all competitions, frequently appearing as a decisive player, including a match-winning double against Antalyaspor.

The final round of the Vodacom URC league season will reshape the entire playoff picture, writes MARK KEOHANE.

Writing for TimesLIVE, Keohane says the congestion from fourth to ninth on the table means every result this weekend carries major consequence, with the Stormers, Vodacom Bulls and Lions all still fighting for position and survival.

For the Bulls, victory against Benetton in Pretoria guarantees a home quarter-final and would complete a strong recovery after a mid-season collapse.

“The Bulls have been near perfect in URC results over the past two months,” Keohane writes.

ALSO: Stormers make peace with finishing second

The Stormers are also in command of a top-two finish if they beat Cardiff, though Glasgow’s result against Ulster could still influence first place. The Cape side is chasing a record 13th league win and another home playoff route.

The fifth-placed Lions face the greatest pressure. A week ago they were third; now they are battling simply to remain in the top eight. Keohane says their equation is straightforward: get something from Munster or risk another season without playoffs.

CASH: Munster clash do-or-die for Lions

“There are permutations and ‘ifs and buts’ everywhere and each match will influence the final eight standings,” he writes.

The drama extends beyond South Africa. Ulster’s clash with Glasgow could decide both playoff qualification and Investec Champions Cup participation, while Munster remain dangerous despite off-field turmoil.

For Keohane, this is exactly what the URC wanted — a final round where almost every match matters.

FULL COLUMN

Photo: Anton Geyser/Gallo Images

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Au Tchad, voilà un an que l'opposant Succès Masra est en prison. À la suite de son arrestation, l'ancien Premier ministre a été condamné à vingt ans de prison pour avoir diffusé en 2023 un message qui, selon le tribunal, aurait provoqué, deux ans plus tard, de graves violences intercommunautaires dans le sud du Tchad. À la tête de son parti les Transformateurs, Succès Masra est arrivé officiellement deuxième à la présidentielle de 2024, avec 18% des voix. Depuis un an, de nombreuses voix s'expriment en sa faveur. Parmi elles, il y a sa sœur, Chancelle Masra, qui vit en France.

The Stormers coaching team will not only be watching how their side perform against Cardiff in their final league game of this United Rugby Championship season in Wales on Friday night, but they’re sure to also have eyes on what’s happening in Belfast where Ulster will welcome Glasgow Warriors.

As it’s turned out, the top two teams will both be in action on Friday evening, hunting a win and the all-important top spot on the URC points table.

Glasgow have 60 points, the Stormers 59. If both lose on Friday it will open the door for last season’s champions, Leinster, to claim top spot. They have 58 points and are at home to Ospreys on Saturday.

Not one-way traffic

Though both Glasgow and the Stormers will be slight favourites to win, the teams they’re up against have incentives of their own.

Ulster (who Glasgow face) are eighth and need to win to ensure Connacht (ninth) aren’t given a chance of replacing them in the quarter-finals lineup. At the same time, Cardiff (who the Stormers face) are seventh and also in danger of being demoted to ninth, should they lose and other results go against them.

It all makes for a thrilling Friday night of URC action, which will continue into tomorrow.

John Dobson’s Stormers will hope for an improved performance from last week when all they could manage was a 38-all draw with Ulster.

‘Plenty to play for’

He said a win would be huge for his side.

“We obviously would like to finish as high on the standings as possible and take some winning momentum into the play-offs,” said Dobson.

“There were some lessons we took from our draw in Belfast last week, and we know it will take a big effort to get the better of what will be a desperate Cardiff team.

“Although we have already secured a home quarter-final, there is plenty to play for, and everyone is excited to meet the challenge at Cardiff Arms Park.”

Tighthead prop Neethling Fouché will lead the team this weekend, with Paul de Villiers coming in at flank in place of the injured Deon Fourie. In the backs, Jonathan Roche and Wandisile Simelane are the new centres, as Damian Willemse moves to fullback and Suleiman Hartzenberg comes in on the right wing.

Kick-off is 8.45pm.