URC: John Plumtree reflects on Sharks' Shield win

Another day, another trophy for the upward-trending Sharks. The Durban franchise secured the SA Shield after their fourth win over the Bulls, Stormers and Lions in the URC. The silverware comes off the back of their Challenge Cup and Currie Cup victories last year.

Given the millions spent on recruiting several high-profile Springboks, the Sharks bosses will be happy to see some return on investment.

"Marco Masotti [owner of the Sharks] will be proud," Plumtree told the media on Saturday.

"He will be having a beautiful red wine in New York somewhere. He has put a lot of work into this franchise and loves the people.

"It has not been easy. We had a lot of injuries and struggles. We are not there yet, but hopefully in the next year or two we will get the right group and challenge for some higher honours.

"I do feel we need to get some bodies back on the field. In the next three weeks, we will get some players back on board, which will help."

The absentees Plumtree is referring to include a raft of World Cup winners such as Eben Etzebeth, Andre Esterhuizen, Aphelele Fassi, Lukhanyo Am and Makazole Mapimpi.

Plumtree went on the praise captain Siya Kolisi, who played a key role in creating Grant Williams' opening try and scored two tries of his own.

"He came in and did a great job this week running the team," he added.

"I thought his pass on the edge, where Grant scored the first try [after four minutes] was top quality. He showed his experience and did very well."

The Sharks next face Zebre on 22 March then perennial table-toppers Leinster on 29 March. They then head to France to face Lyon Olympique in their Challenge Cup Round of 16 play-off match.

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