Round one of the 2023/24 Vodacom United Rugby Championship produced plenty of fireworks and its fair share of upsets as the tournament got off to a cracking start over the past weekend. The Hollywoodbets Sharks went to Munster as underdogs against the current champions and put up a strong opposition against their opponents, but the result of the weekend had to be Glasgow Warriors who defeated Leinster 43-25.
The Vodacom Bulls go top of the log following their 63-21 dismantling of the Scarlets in Pretoria, while the only derby of the round saw the Emirates Lions claw their way back against the DHL Stormers before succumbing 33-35 at home.
It was always going to be a big ask for the Hollywoodbets Sharks as the only South African side to travel outside the country’s borders and take on the title holders
“Not happy with the result but really happy with the effort from the boys,” said Hollywoodbets Sharks Head Coach John Plumtree as he summed up his sentiments after the match.
There are always turning points in games and Plumtree pointed to Munster’s try late in the first half that probably tipped the game in their favour when the home side had a seven point lead, with no great dominance on the scoreboard.
“That try just before half-time probably hurt us a little bit, but we didn’t really have enough territory in that first half either which was disappointing.
“So we’ll have to look at why that was.”
Plumtree was happy with the way the players came out and responded in the second half when they put on a good show and pushed Munster hard, but given the early stage of the season, he acknowledged that there is still more growth and development to come.
“We played some really good rugby in the second half, but not quite accurate enough, didn’t take one or two opportunities that were presented to us, and turned a couple of possessions over where Munster scored.
“Obviously the yellow card hurt us a bit and they scored while we were a man down.”
In summing up, he said, “I’m really proud of the effort, they tried really hard and a lot of the guys out there had their first games.
“So there’s a lot to work on this week.”
The Hollywoodbets Sharks next take on Leinster this Saturday evening in Round Two.