Siya Kolisi has offered no excuses for the Sharks' failure to reach the URC top eight, describing the outcome as a collective disappointment from a squad he believes should have done better.
"We are really disappointed, especially with the group that we have. We definitely should have qualified for that. We have no excuses," Kolisi said. "It hurts us the way the fans have been supporting us so much and we couldn't deliver for them, for the club itself."
The Sharks endured a difficult campaign that included an early coaching change — John Plumtree departing with JP Pietersen stepping in as interim — along with an injury crisis and exits from both European competitions. Despite back-to-back wins over the Stormers and a victory over the Bulls under Pietersen, losses away to Ospreys and Edinburgh proved decisive in ending their play-off hopes.
The final two rounds against Benetton and Zebre are dead rubbers for all three sides, but carry added personal significance for Kolisi — they will be his last appearances in a Sharks jersey before he heads to Cape Town to rejoin the Stormers next season. His return is motivated by a desire to be closer to his children.
Benetton, who shocked Leinster 29-26 in round 16 to knock them off top spot, provide no easy send-off. "They are a great team and have beaten some big teams this season, so we want to finish our year strong, and hopefully the guys can build going forward with these last two games," Kolisi said.
On leaving Durban, where he has been based since rejoining the Sharks in 2024 following a single season at Racing 92, Kolisi was candid about how difficult the farewell will be. "It's going to be hard to say goodbye to the boys. It's been a special place. Thank you so much to the people of KZN for welcoming my family and me."