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Boogieman shines as Sharks smash Benetton
Jurenzo Julius bagged a hat-trick as the Sharks put Benetton to the sword in their Vodacom URC dead-rubber clash in Durban on Saturday.
The hosts ran in eight tries to hammer their Italian visitors 46-7 on a balmy winter’s evening. djcc.club
The first half at Kings Park was a stop-start affair, with both sides guilty of overplaying and repeatedly handing possession back through poor discipline and handling errors.
Benetton created the first genuine chance in the sixth minute when they found space out wide, but centre Tommaso Menoncello threw a wayward pass with two support runners in position to score.
The Sharks struck first in the 12th minute. Slick handling in the backline, including a clever chicken-wing pass from fullback Jaco Williams, sent winger Edwill van der Merwe over in the corner.
The Sharks’ backs continued to ask questions, and outside centre Julius showed his strength and footwork to power over for the home side’s second try.
The Boogieman spotted the gap & worked his magic
🪩
The rest was Play-Off rugby.
Watch all the action LIVE on SuperSport
@Vodacom #URC | #SHAvBEN pic.twitter.com/l7RTN6VACq
— Vodacom United Rugby Championship (URC) (@URCOfficial_RSA) May 9, 2026
Benetton’s discipline then let them down when hooker Bautista Bernasconi was shown a yellow card for a low, grasscutter tackle on Vincent Koch. The Sharks capitalised immediately, with Springbok captain Siya Kolisi crashing over from a rolling maul.
REPORT: Bulls get job done against outgunned Zebre
There was concern for the home crowd and Springbok supporters when veteran winger Makazole Mapimpi was stretchered off after a high shoulder charge from Benetton flyhalf Jacob Umaga, who was shown a 20-minute red card.
On the stroke of half-time, Van der Merwe produced a fine finish, using his footwork and power to score his second try of the match.
The Sharks failed to convert any of their four tries, but still took a commanding 20-0 lead into the break.
Captain André Esterhuizen crashed over just three minutes into the second half for the hosts’ fifth try, with scrumhalf Bradley Davids adding the conversion.
Lineout secured.
Then Andre Esterhuizen came charging through.
— Vodacom United Rugby Championship (URC) (@URCOfficial_RSA) May 9, 2026
It then became the Jurenzo Julius show.
The exciting midfielder, nicknamed the “Boogieman”, struck twice in the space of three minutes to complete a brilliant hat-trick and put the result beyond doubt.
The Sharks’ clinical finishing and willingness to attack from all areas of the field proved too much for the Italians, as the Durban-based side finally produced the type of performance their supporters had been waiting for.
ALSO: Stormers’ mistakes frustrate Dobbo
Replacement winger Litelihle Bester added an exclamation mark to a statement performance with a try on the stroke of full-time.
Attention will now turn to next week’s final fixture against Zebre, where the Sharks will hope to deliver another convincing display as they bid to give Kolisi a fitting farewell in his final appearance before returning to the Stormers next season.
SHARKS – Tries: Edwill van der Merwe (2), Jurenzo Julius (3), Siya Kolisi, André Esterhuizen, Litelihle Bester. Conversions: Bradley Davids, Jean Smith (2).
BENETTON – Try: Cristiano Tizzano. Conversion: Alessandro Garbisi.
Photo: Steve Haag Sports/Gallo Images
The post Boogieman shines as Sharks smash Benetton appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
LIVE | Orlando Pirates in must-win clash against Magesi FC
Orlando Pirates continue their pursuit of the Betway Premiership title when they travel to Limpopo to face Magesi FC at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium on Saturday evening.
The late-night clash presents another must-win fixture for the Buccaneers, who remain firmly in the title race heading into the closing stages of the season.
While Orlando Pirates are chasing league glory, Magesi are fighting for survival at the opposite end of the table, setting up a high-stakes encounter with major implications for both sides.
Magesi battling relegation
In just their second top-flight campaign, Magesi find themselves rooted to the bottom of the standings after a difficult season.
Dikwena tša Meetse have collected only 21 points from 27 league matches and slipped into last place following a damaging 2-1 home defeat to fellow strugglers Orbit College earlier this week.
Despite their struggles, Magesi have shown they can be dangerous on home soil. All four of their league victories this season have come in Limpopo, where they have also managed to frustrate several visiting teams.
However, they will be without midfielder Motsie Matima after he picked up his fourth booking of the campaign, triggering a suspension. Kgothatso Mariba could return after missing the previous fixture through injury.
Orlando Pirates closing in on Mamelodi Sundowns
Orlando Pirates arrive in Polokwane full of confidence after a vital 2-0 away win over Stellenbosch FC in midweek.
Jose Riveiro’s side have been especially impressive away from home this season, collecting 30 points from 13 road fixtures, losing only once.
Another victory would not only strengthen their credentials as the league’s best travellers but also keep alive hopes of ending their lengthy wait for league honours.
RESULT | Mamelodi Sundowns pile the pressure on Orlando Pirates
Recent meetings
Although still a relatively new fixture, meetings between Orlando Pirates and Magesi have already produced several surprises.
Magesi stunned Orlando Pirates in their first-ever encounter by knocking them out of a cup competition, but the Soweto giants have since shifted momentum in their favour.
Orlando Pirates have won two of the last three meetings, including a 2-0 league victory earlier this season and a 2-1 triumph in the Carling Knockout.
The Buccaneers will now aim to continue that dominance and extend their unbeaten run across all competitions to five matches.
Match details
Tickets: Available via Computicket and selected retail outlets nationwide.
Fixture: Magesi FC vs Orlando Pirates
Venue: New Peter Mokaba Stadium
Kick-off: 20:00
Broadcast: SuperSport PSL
Prediction
Magesi 0-3 Orlando Pirates
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France : Destin cruel pour Halilhodzic avec le FC Nantes
La relégation du FC Nantes en Ligue 2 a provoqué une immense vague d’émotion en France, mais aussi en Algérie, où le nom de Vahid Halilhodžić reste profondément lié à l’histoire des Verts. Vendredi soir, après la défaite face au RC Lens (1-0), l’ancien sélectionneur des Fennecs est apparu totalement détruit, incapable de cacher sa douleur devant les médias.
The post France : Destin cruel pour Halilhodzic avec le FC Nantes appeared first on Football Algérien - DZFOOT.COM.
Football: Manchester City domine Brentford et met Arsenal sous pression
Manchester City a marqué trois buts en seconde période contre Brentford (3-0), samedi à domicile, pour continuer à croire au titre en Premier League, même si le leader Arsenal conserve la main. Les hommes de Pep Guardiola (2e, 74 points) reviennent à deux longueurs d'Arsenal à la veille du court déplacement du leader à West Ham, le premier relégable. City a fait la différence dans le second acte grâce à Jérémy Doku (60e), Erling Haaland (75e) et Omar Marmoush (90e+2), soignant au passage une différence de buts qui pourrait être cruciale pour le titre. Doku a réalisé une performance encore remarquable, cinq jours après un doublé qui avait permis à City d'éviter le pire à Everton (3-3). L'ancien Rennais de 23 ans, intenable sur le côté gauche, a joué vite un corner avec Bernardo Silva, il a récupéré le ballon puis, après un contre gagnant, il a enroulé une frappe dans les filets de Caoimhin Kelleher. Le gardien irlandais a été battu ensuite par Haaland qui s'y est repris à deux fois pour inscrire, d'une talonnade, son 26e but de la saison en Premier League. L'attaquant norvégien a lancé Marmoush pour le but du KO. Gianluigi Donnarumma, le portier de City, a lui été mis en difficulté par une longue touche de Michael Kayode (7e), un coup franc de Mathias Jensen (15e) et une frappe d'Igor Thiago (55e). Brentford, huitième et à la lutte pour les places européennes, a par ailleurs réclamé, en vain, un pénalty après une supposée poussette de Matheus Nunes sur Kevin Schade (71e). Les Mancuniens accueillent Crystal Palace mercredi en match en retard, avant de terminer le championnat contre Bournemouth et Aston Villa.