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"contents": "<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">On paper, the Springbok-laden Sharks have one of the strongest squads in the United Rugby Championship (URC). However, their on-field performances have not reflected that strength. They currently languish in 12th position on the URC log – although they do have two matches in hand.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">At the start of 2021 the Sharks announced that US consortium MVM Holdings had bought a majority share in the union. The deal provided a huge cash injection for the franchise which translated into the purchase of marquee players such as Springbok captain Siya Kolisi as well as Stormers and Springbok hooker Bongi Mbonambi.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The side had a relatively successful first URC season, ending the round-robin stage in fifth place before losing in the quarterfinal to Bulls owing to a late Chris Smith drop-goal.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Through player development and astute signings such as star Springbok lock Eben Etzebeth, the Sharks were expected to build on the momentum of their inaugural URC season.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">They also reaffirmed their back division with the shrewd purchases of Bok centres Rohan Janse van Rensburg and Francois Venter, among others.</span>\r\n\r\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-1476399\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Rugby-Sharks-shocker_4.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"720\" height=\"480\" /> Boeta Chamberlain of the Sharks is tackled by Jason Harries of Cardiff. (Photo: Darren Stewart / Gallo Images / Getty Images)</p>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lions duo Carlo Sadie and Vincent Tshituka also joined the Durban-based franchise to add depth to the forwards department.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Despite all the aforementioned investment and preparation for the 2022/23 URC season, the Sharks have fallen flat in all but one of their opening six matches of the season.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">They have a 50% win record and are the lowest-ranked South African side on the URC table.</span>\r\n<h4>Slow start</h4>\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Sharks have only played one match with their full assortment of Springbok stars available – against Glasgow Warriors in round five, winning emphatically 40-12. That match and the scrappy victories over lowly sides have painted over the cracks of the underachieving Sharks.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Nevertheless, the triumph over Glasgow at Kings Park showcased their potential at full strength.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Etzebeth, as spectators have become so accustomed to, was colossal in every facet of play, while Makazole Mapimpi, Ox Nche, Kolisi and Mbonambi also displayed their international quality.</span>\r\n\r\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-1476400\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Rugby-Sharks-shocker_5.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"720\" height=\"480\" /> Cardiff's Thomas Young fends of Sharks captain James Venter. (Photo: Darren Stewart / Gallo Images / Getty Images)</p>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There was a clear gap in quality between the South African and Scottish outfits.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">However, as soon as the aforementioned Springboks are unavailable, the Sharks become almost unrecognisable from the one that clobbered Glasgow Warriors.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In their opening match of the season, they struggled to an unconvincing, closely fought 42-37 victory over bottom-of-the-table and winless Zebre away from home.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">They followed that with another scrappy 20-19 victory over the Dragons the following week before being thrashed 54-34 by table-toppers Leinster.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Glasgow Warriors match was next before their clash against Ulster was postponed due to an outbreak of gastroenteritis within the latter’s camp.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Bulls then humbled the Sharks 40-17, in a repeat of last season’s quarterfinal, before the international break.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In the context of the Sharks’ season, the battering they received against a well-drilled, determined Cardiff side this weekend is not as surprising as it is made out to be.</span>\r\n<h4>Apologies in order</h4>\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The 35-0 loss did upset the apple cart. It marks the first victory for a Welsh side on South African soil in the URC – on a weekend where there were four Welsh teams in the country.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Stormers, Bulls and Lions passed their fiery test, beating Scarlets (36-19), Ospreys (43-26) and Dragons (33-25) respectively.</span>\r\n\r\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-1476391\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Rugby-Sharks-shocker_25.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"720\" height=\"494\" /> Jones Lewis of the Dragons just gets his kick away against the Lions. (Photo: Gordon Arons / Gallo Images)</p>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While in Durban it was the first time the Sharks were held to zero points in a game in the professional era – the last time was in 1972 when they lost 19-0 to England.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The measure of defeat meant that Sharks’ CEO Eduard Coetzee has come out to apologise for his side’s showing.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“Cardiff were unbelievable and well-coached,” Coetzee said at the post-match press conference.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“They were clinical, dominated the set pieces, and used their opportunities well. But I want to apologise to our fans that came out in their droves in the rain... We had more than 7,000 fans on a Sunday in the wet.”</span>\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n<strong>Visit <a href=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=in_article_link&utm_campaign=homepage\"><em>Daily Maverick's</em> home page</a> for more news, analysis and investigations</strong>\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Sharks were without 10 players on national team duty but the side still had Springboks Janse van Rensburg, Venter and Sikhumbuzo Notshe among a plethora of young talent in their ranks.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“Our fans, our sponsors, our stakeholders, our owners do not deserve a performance such as that one... a lot of people put a lot of effort into this franchise and a display like tonight’s does not reward them for their input,” added the CEO.</span>\r\n\r\n<i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Read in </span></i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Daily Maverick</span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: “</span></i><a href=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2022-11-02-almighty-battle-for-survival-of-the-western-province-rugby-football-union/\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Almighty battle for survival of the Western Province Rugby Football Union</span></i></a><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">”</span></i>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Sharks’ season has started poorly, with three victories in six matches, but luckily there is enough time in the 18-round tournament to turn things around.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“Also know that we will not leave it there, we will turn this around, we will get back on the horse. This was unlike the Sharks and everything possible will be done to rectify this and it will be done as soon as possible,” said Coetzee.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Sharks have an opportunity to turn things around immediately when they face another Welsh outfit, Ospreys, at home this weekend.</span>\r\n\r\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-1476388\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Rugby-Sharks-shocker_22.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"720\" height=\"949\" /> The Lions' Rabs Maxwane goes in for the tackle during their United Rugby Championship clash with the Dragons in Johannesburg on Sunday. (Photo: Gordon Arons Images)</p>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">They will also potentially have their Springbok stars available after the international window ended this past weekend. Added to the fact that there are many bruised egos in the black and white of the Sharks, it could summon a long day for the Ospreys.</span>\r\n<h4>Other SA games</h4>\r\n<h4>Stormers 36-19 Scarlets</h4>\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Stormers ran in five tries as they returned to action with a victory in Cape Town.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Herschel Jantjies, Leolin Zas, Ernst van Rhyn and Hacjivah Dayimani secured a first-half try bonus for the defending URC champions, with Ryan Conbeer’s touchdown the Scarlets’ only response amid many wasted opportunities.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Dan du Plessis added the Stormers’ fifth try shortly after half-time, before a brief Scarlets revival saw Tom Rogers go over and Conbeer add his second.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">However, the damage had already been done, and Stormers fly-half Kade Wolhuter ended the match with 11 points from the tee, while Dan Jones and Rhys Patchell kicked two points apiece for the visitors.</span>\r\n<h4>Bulls 43-26 Ospreys</h4>\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Wing David Kriel scored a brace of tries as the Bulls claimed a home win over the Ospreys.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Bulls showed their ruthless streak as they ran in seven tries at Loftus Versfeld, with Nizaam Carr, WJ Steenkamp, Elrigh Louw, Ruan Nortje and Zak Burger also touching down.</span>\r\n<h4>Lions 33-25 Dragons</h4>\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Lions recorded their first home win of the season by overcoming the Dragons 33-25 in Johannesburg.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Dragons failed to make the most of an early Lions yellow card, and Ruhan Straeuli’s try combined with 14 points from the boot of Jordan Hendrikse had the home side 19-6 up at the interval. </span><b>DM</b>",
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"name": "JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA - NOVEMBER 27: Rabs Maxwane of the Emirates Lions in for the tackle during the United Rugby Championship match between Emirates Lions and Dragons at Emirates Airline Park on November 27, 2022 in Johannesburg, South Africa. (Photo: Gordon Arons Images)",
"description": "<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">On paper, the Springbok-laden Sharks have one of the strongest squads in the United Rugby Championship (URC). However, their on-field performances have not reflected that strength. They currently languish in 12th position on the URC log – although they do have two matches in hand.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">At the start of 2021 the Sharks announced that US consortium MVM Holdings had bought a majority share in the union. The deal provided a huge cash injection for the franchise which translated into the purchase of marquee players such as Springbok captain Siya Kolisi as well as Stormers and Springbok hooker Bongi Mbonambi.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The side had a relatively successful first URC season, ending the round-robin stage in fifth place before losing in the quarterfinal to Bulls owing to a late Chris Smith drop-goal.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Through player development and astute signings such as star Springbok lock Eben Etzebeth, the Sharks were expected to build on the momentum of their inaugural URC season.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">They also reaffirmed their back division with the shrewd purchases of Bok centres Rohan Janse van Rensburg and Francois Venter, among others.</span>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_1476399\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"720\"]<img class=\"size-full wp-image-1476399\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Rugby-Sharks-shocker_4.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"720\" height=\"480\" /> Boeta Chamberlain of the Sharks is tackled by Jason Harries of Cardiff. (Photo: Darren Stewart / Gallo Images / Getty Images)[/caption]\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lions duo Carlo Sadie and Vincent Tshituka also joined the Durban-based franchise to add depth to the forwards department.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Despite all the aforementioned investment and preparation for the 2022/23 URC season, the Sharks have fallen flat in all but one of their opening six matches of the season.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">They have a 50% win record and are the lowest-ranked South African side on the URC table.</span>\r\n<h4>Slow start</h4>\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Sharks have only played one match with their full assortment of Springbok stars available – against Glasgow Warriors in round five, winning emphatically 40-12. That match and the scrappy victories over lowly sides have painted over the cracks of the underachieving Sharks.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Nevertheless, the triumph over Glasgow at Kings Park showcased their potential at full strength.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Etzebeth, as spectators have become so accustomed to, was colossal in every facet of play, while Makazole Mapimpi, Ox Nche, Kolisi and Mbonambi also displayed their international quality.</span>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_1476400\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"720\"]<img class=\"size-full wp-image-1476400\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Rugby-Sharks-shocker_5.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"720\" height=\"480\" /> Cardiff's Thomas Young fends of Sharks captain James Venter. (Photo: Darren Stewart / Gallo Images / Getty Images)[/caption]\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There was a clear gap in quality between the South African and Scottish outfits.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">However, as soon as the aforementioned Springboks are unavailable, the Sharks become almost unrecognisable from the one that clobbered Glasgow Warriors.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In their opening match of the season, they struggled to an unconvincing, closely fought 42-37 victory over bottom-of-the-table and winless Zebre away from home.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">They followed that with another scrappy 20-19 victory over the Dragons the following week before being thrashed 54-34 by table-toppers Leinster.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Glasgow Warriors match was next before their clash against Ulster was postponed due to an outbreak of gastroenteritis within the latter’s camp.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Bulls then humbled the Sharks 40-17, in a repeat of last season’s quarterfinal, before the international break.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In the context of the Sharks’ season, the battering they received against a well-drilled, determined Cardiff side this weekend is not as surprising as it is made out to be.</span>\r\n<h4>Apologies in order</h4>\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The 35-0 loss did upset the apple cart. It marks the first victory for a Welsh side on South African soil in the URC – on a weekend where there were four Welsh teams in the country.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Stormers, Bulls and Lions passed their fiery test, beating Scarlets (36-19), Ospreys (43-26) and Dragons (33-25) respectively.</span>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_1476391\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"720\"]<img class=\"size-full wp-image-1476391\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Rugby-Sharks-shocker_25.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"720\" height=\"494\" /> Jones Lewis of the Dragons just gets his kick away against the Lions. (Photo: Gordon Arons / Gallo Images)[/caption]\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While in Durban it was the first time the Sharks were held to zero points in a game in the professional era – the last time was in 1972 when they lost 19-0 to England.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The measure of defeat meant that Sharks’ CEO Eduard Coetzee has come out to apologise for his side’s showing.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“Cardiff were unbelievable and well-coached,” Coetzee said at the post-match press conference.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“They were clinical, dominated the set pieces, and used their opportunities well. But I want to apologise to our fans that came out in their droves in the rain... We had more than 7,000 fans on a Sunday in the wet.”</span>\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n<strong>Visit <a href=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=in_article_link&utm_campaign=homepage\"><em>Daily Maverick's</em> home page</a> for more news, analysis and investigations</strong>\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Sharks were without 10 players on national team duty but the side still had Springboks Janse van Rensburg, Venter and Sikhumbuzo Notshe among a plethora of young talent in their ranks.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“Our fans, our sponsors, our stakeholders, our owners do not deserve a performance such as that one... a lot of people put a lot of effort into this franchise and a display like tonight’s does not reward them for their input,” added the CEO.</span>\r\n\r\n<i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Read in </span></i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Daily Maverick</span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: “</span></i><a href=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2022-11-02-almighty-battle-for-survival-of-the-western-province-rugby-football-union/\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Almighty battle for survival of the Western Province Rugby Football Union</span></i></a><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">”</span></i>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Sharks’ season has started poorly, with three victories in six matches, but luckily there is enough time in the 18-round tournament to turn things around.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“Also know that we will not leave it there, we will turn this around, we will get back on the horse. This was unlike the Sharks and everything possible will be done to rectify this and it will be done as soon as possible,” said Coetzee.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Sharks have an opportunity to turn things around immediately when they face another Welsh outfit, Ospreys, at home this weekend.</span>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_1476388\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"720\"]<img class=\"size-full wp-image-1476388\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Rugby-Sharks-shocker_22.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"720\" height=\"949\" /> The Lions' Rabs Maxwane goes in for the tackle during their United Rugby Championship clash with the Dragons in Johannesburg on Sunday. (Photo: Gordon Arons Images)[/caption]\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">They will also potentially have their Springbok stars available after the international window ended this past weekend. Added to the fact that there are many bruised egos in the black and white of the Sharks, it could summon a long day for the Ospreys.</span>\r\n<h4>Other SA games</h4>\r\n<h4>Stormers 36-19 Scarlets</h4>\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Stormers ran in five tries as they returned to action with a victory in Cape Town.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Herschel Jantjies, Leolin Zas, Ernst van Rhyn and Hacjivah Dayimani secured a first-half try bonus for the defending URC champions, with Ryan Conbeer’s touchdown the Scarlets’ only response amid many wasted opportunities.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Dan du Plessis added the Stormers’ fifth try shortly after half-time, before a brief Scarlets revival saw Tom Rogers go over and Conbeer add his second.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">However, the damage had already been done, and Stormers fly-half Kade Wolhuter ended the match with 11 points from the tee, while Dan Jones and Rhys Patchell kicked two points apiece for the visitors.</span>\r\n<h4>Bulls 43-26 Ospreys</h4>\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Wing David Kriel scored a brace of tries as the Bulls claimed a home win over the Ospreys.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Bulls showed their ruthless streak as they ran in seven tries at Loftus Versfeld, with Nizaam Carr, WJ Steenkamp, Elrigh Louw, Ruan Nortje and Zak Burger also touching down.</span>\r\n<h4>Lions 33-25 Dragons</h4>\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Lions recorded their first home win of the season by overcoming the Dragons 33-25 in Johannesburg.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Dragons failed to make the most of an early Lions yellow card, and Ruhan Straeuli’s try combined with 14 points from the boot of Jordan Hendrikse had the home side 19-6 up at the interval. </span><b>DM</b>",
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"summary": "The Sharks’ have had an inconsistent and injury-ridden start to the United Rugby Championship season, which culminated in a 35-0 loss to Cardiff on Sunday. Their fins need to turn around soon.",
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Boeta Chamberlain of the Sharks is tackled by Jason Harries of Cardiff. (Photo: Darren Stewart / Gallo Images / Getty Images)
Cardiff's Thomas Young fends of Sharks captain James Venter. (Photo: Darren Stewart / Gallo Images / Getty Images)
Jones Lewis of the Dragons just gets his kick away against the Lions. (Photo: Gordon Arons / Gallo Images)
The Lions' Rabs Maxwane goes in for the tackle during their United Rugby Championship clash with the Dragons in Johannesburg on Sunday. (Photo: Gordon Arons Images)