Plum praises Siya after SA Shield win
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Sharks coach John Plumtree lauded captain Siya Kolisi after their 25-22 Vodacom URC victory against the Lions at Kings Park that secured the SA Shield.
Kolisi made his return from a mandatory Springbok break off the bench in the Sharks' 38-14 defeat at Ellis Park seven days ago.
On Saturday, he led them from No 8, scoring two tries in a 56-minute stint as they gained revenge and bragging rights as SA's best in 2025.
"Siya hadn't played for a while and he came in and did a great job this week running the team," Plumtree said. "It's great for him to get a couple of couple of tries and I thought his little pass on the edge, when Grant [Williams] scored his try, was top quality. And then he won the race around the corner from a midfield ruck. He just showed his experience and did really well."
Plumtree also praised his side for bouncing back after their poor performance in Joburg.
"A week is a long time rugby. I'm very proud of the boys. They're a proud bunch and last week our pride got really dented. I’m just proud of the boys for the way we responded to last week, emotionally it's been a big week for us."
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Plumtree said the hot and humid conditions in Durban were "next level" and that he had needed a wet towel to be brought to him in the coach's box.
"It was a war of attrition,” he added. “One thing written on the board this week was, "Who is prepared to go the hardest for the longest?” And I'm pleased that we hung in and found a way."
The Sharks relinquished a 17-7 second-half lead to trail 22-17, before a try from replacement flank Nick Hatton and a penalty goal from substitute Jaden Hendrikse, which went in-off the right-hand upright, got the win.
"They score, we find some territory and they make a mistake and we capitalise on that mistake," said Plumtree. "It was great work from Nick getting over the line, he's a good young player coming through.
“I love those moments. You get a big game like this and you've got a good young player for the future who scores a crucial try, so well done to him.
“The forwards did a really good job off the bench today."
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Under Plumtree, the Sharks have won the EPCR Challenge Cup, the Currie Cup and now the SA Shield.
"It is a good indicator that we're heading in the right direction," he said of their trophy haul. "I think [Sharks owner] Marco Masotti will be very proud tonight and having a beautiful bottle of red wine in New York somewhere. He's done a lot of work and put a lot of time into this franchise, and he loves the South African people, so just a shout-out for him, because it’s not easy.
"We've had a lot of injuries this year, there's been a lot of struggle, and we're not there yet, but hopefully in the next year or two, we'll get the right group that will go forward and maybe challenge for some higher honours. I do think we just need to get some bodies back on the field."
Photo: Steve Haag/Gallo Images
The post Plum praises Siya after SA Shield win appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
