Marcell Coetzee’s recall to the Springboks is inevitable on the back of his “outstanding” form for the Vodacom Bulls, says director of rugby Jake White.
The Vodacom Bulls did just enough to hang on for the win and avoid an embarrassing Vodacom #URC defeat against Munster at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.
All-action Aphelele Fassi rescued the misfiring Sharks as the Durbanites beat Scarlets at Kings Park on Friday to stay on course for the Vodacom United Rugby Championship playoffs.
Sharks captain Lukhanyo Am has been voted the Vodacom United Rugby Championship Player of the Month for February.
Damian Willemse will be utilised primarily at centre or fullback for the rest of the season as the Stormers look to give the talented back an opportunity to settle into a position.
Assistant coach JP Pietersen supports a “motivated” Sanele Nohamba to reclaim his status as the Sharks’ starting scrumhalf.
Herschel Jantjies has signed a two-year extension with the Stormers, keeping the Springbok scrumhalf at the Cape franchise until at least 2024.
With the South African leg of the Vodacom United Rugby Championship scheduled for next week, the Sharks, Stormers and Vodacom Bulls are all in position to make a run at playoff places.
Stormers head coach John Dobson and captain Steven Kitshoff both admitted after the loss to Connacht in Galway that the officiating during the match differed markedly from what they were used to in the local South African derbies.
The Sharks climbed into eighth place on the Vodacom United Rugby Championship table after a last-minute try sealed a bonus-point win over Benetton in Treviso on Saturday.