Hollywoodbets Sharks captain Eben Etzebeth said their 2024 season, ending 14th in the URC, and this season is very different and that it’s the perfect opportunity now to show their true pedigree.
“It is the first time that we are hosting a quarterfinal, and it is an advantage."
“Munster are a good team. Two seasons ago, they played a quarterfinal, semifinal, and final away from home. They are used to play-off success and winning away from home in knockout games, which is important because everything you’ve done before doesn’t count."
“So it’s a good opportunity for us to push a bit further in this competition, and having the home-ground advantage and doing it in front of our fans is a massive bonus.”
“If you look at the results throughout the season, there are a few results that we’re not happy about. But this season is our best yet. We ended third, with the Bulls and Leinster above us, so it was sort of successful."
“We have a home quarterfinal, and if we win that, we stay in South Africa for the semifinal, whether that is against the Bulls at Loftus Versfeld or Edinburgh at Kings Park."
“I understand if you look at the season, fans will be left frustrated. We, as players and coaches, are sometimes frustrated with ourselves. But whatever happened before doesn’t count anymore.”
“The play-offs are usually tight affairs, and we are used to it by now. I think last season we ended up 14th on the log and lost the tight matches, but we managed to turn it around and win them."
“So we’re used to playing those games, and hopefully we don’t have to make it that tight this time around."
“They are a quality side and it’s probably going to come down to discipline on the day, or who’s got the better goal-kicker.”