Mike Makaab believes Sharks win could be the catalyst to end season on a high

By Ayanda Nyuswa

Gagasi FM Sports specialist Mike Makaab believes the Sharks latest win against Ulster in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship could be the catalyst for the Durban side to end their season on a high despite having a disspointing campaign.The Durban side outmuscled Irish giants Ulster 22-12 at the Hollywoodbets Kings Park Stadium on Saturday, to record only their second win of the season in the URC, which has seen them move away from the foot of the table, to 14th position on the log.

John Plumtree fielded the strongest match squad since his arrival in KZN, which saw the return of SA Rugby Player of the Year Eben Etzebeth from injury and a Sharks debut for world Cup winner Vincent Koch, as the boys in Black and White were able to front an all-Springbok front row at some point in the match with Bongi Mbonambi and Ox Nche in the team. The leaders in the Sharks team were also backed by strong young performers like former Griquas winger Eduan Keyter and 21-year old Ethan Hooker, who produced strong performances to see the Sharks over the line.

Speaking on Extratime on Gagasi FM, Makaab believes the win could be a catalyst for the Sharks to put on a consistent run of wins to end the season on a high.

“It’s been a dissapointing season, again we have got to hope that this win against Ulster will give them the confidence to at least end the competition on a high not,” said Makaab.

“What is interesting is the other three South African teams are all in the top 8. The Lions are hanging in there and playing some good Rugby, the Stormers are well entreched and the Bulls look certain to contest a quarterfinal and possibly a home quarterfinal. Good news for South African Rugby, and it’s a pity the Sharks don’t make up the 8 at the moment but let us hope it is the turning point.”