JP Pietersen Claims Making The Top Eight Of The URC ‘Will Be Hard’

Hollywoodbets Sharks coach JP Pietersen has said that while they are realistic about where they are, they can only control what is in their hands when they take on Cardiff, as they seek to propel themselves into a play-off spot in the United Rugby Championship. 

“We are realistic about where we are,” said Pietersen. “What put us on the back foot was not getting a result in our two away games against the Lions and the Bulls. That’s why we are playing catch-up.”

The Sharks will be eager to secure their first-ever home victory in the URC against Cardiff, having gone winless in their previous two home encounters with the Welsh side at Hollywoodbets Kings Park Stadium.

Cardiff present a very different proposition for the Sharks and are seen as their bogey side in the competition. 

In the four games between the two sides since the inception of the URC, Cardiff hold the advantage – three wins to one – with the Sharks’ victory coming in their most recent encounter, in January 2025, where they won 42-22 at Cardiff Arms Park.

Over the years, Cardiff have made Durban their home away from home, as the Sharks are yet to beat them in two games in Durban – succumbing to defeat on both occasions by sizeable scorelines – a 35-point defeat in 2022 and a 22-point defeat in 2024. 

Following a resounding victory over Munster last weekend, 45-0, with three tries and 19 points scored in the final four minutes, the Durban outfit has given itself a fighting chance of progressing its season beyond the league phase. 

Late tries by Le Roux Malan and a brace by centurion Makazole Mapimpi saw the Sharks canter to an emphatic victory, allowing for a clean sweep on the scoreboard as all the South African teams enjoyed bonus point victories. 

“We have five games left. If we can get results, we’ll give ourselves the possibility of making the top eight, which will be hard,” Pietersen mentioned.  

Another victory will put the Sharks right in the thick of things as they play their final home game before a couple of away games in Europe.

“We will need some results to go our way, too. We are realistic about what we can do. We can only control what we can control, and it starts with putting in a good performance against Cardiff, who are a good side too. We need to get past them before we can even look at the top eight.”

The match against Cardiff on Friday kicks off at 7pm.