Poging GOUD - Vrij

Sharks seek statement performance in Champions Cup opener against Toulouse

The Mercury

|

December 05, 2025

THE Sharks step into one of the toughest arenas in European rugby on Sunday when they face French giants Toulouse in their opening Investec Champions Cup clash in Toulouse, and loose-forward Nick Hatton says the squad has arrived in France determined to produce a timely response to their poor early-season form in the URC.

- ROWAN CALLAGHAN

Sharks seek statement performance in Champions Cup opener against Toulouse

Sharks loose-forward Nick Hatton says they're fighting as hard as to can to turn their season around, and hopes Sunday's Champions Cup clash against French giants Toulouse will be a watershed moment. | BackpagePix

(BackpagePix)

The Durban side have endured a frustrating start to their URC campaign, with last week’s 44-17 defeat away to Connacht marking their fourth loss in six matches. But Hatton says the mood in the camp has lifted since arriving in the south of France, where the conditions and change of environment have offered a timely chance to reset.

"I think the conditions in Toulouse this week have been really nice," Hatton said.

"It’s been quite fresh outside, but there’s been some lovely sunshine, which has been really nice to train in. The mood in the camp has been good."

MEER VERHALEN VAN The Mercury

The Mercury

The Mercury

Scrums, line-outs and breakdown battles: Sharks v Bulls key matchups

SOUTH African derbies in the United Rugby Championship (URC) rarely hinge on moments of individual brilliance alone.

time to read

2 mins

December 18, 2025

The Mercury

Temple collapse: probe reveals major construction lapses

FINDINGS from the preliminary investigation into the four-storey building collapse at Redcliffe, Verulam point to \"serious lapses\" in construction, including concerns over structural integrity, substandard materials, and possible regulatory violations, Public Works Minister Dean Macpherson said yesterday.

time to read

2 mins

December 18, 2025

The Mercury

IMF Board backs stronger, clearer fiscal policy advice after independent evaluation review

THE International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) Executive Board has broadly endorsed recommendations to strengthen the clarity, consistency and analytical depth of the Fund’s fiscal policy advice, following an independent evaluation covering the tumultuous 2008-2023 period marked by the global financial crisis and the Covid-19 pandemic.

time to read

3 mins

December 18, 2025

The Mercury

NCOP passes Immigration Amendment Bill in response to Concourt ruling

THE National Council of Provinces (NCOP) unanimously passed the Immigration Amendment Bill yesterday, paving the way for its submission to President Cyril Ramaphosa for final assent.

time to read

3 mins

December 18, 2025

The Mercury

The Mercury

Church bells should ring beyond 16 Days

Sometimes it takes one decisive leader to make a difference

time to read

4 mins

December 18, 2025

The Mercury

Unless sanity prevails, 2026 could be the year of humanity's destruction

GLOBAL events are grabbing the news headlines, as man rushes headlong into an epic confrontation that will reduce our planet to radio active rubble.

time to read

2 mins

December 18, 2025

The Mercury

Masemola vows to end illegal mining in North West

THE National Commissioner of the South African Police Service, General Fannie Masemola, has warned that illegal mining in Bapong, North West, will not be tolerated, citing serious threats to the safety, health, and livelihoods of local communities.

time to read

1 min

December 18, 2025

The Mercury

The Mercury

Alcaraz ends partnership with coach

Men’s tennis world No 1Carlos Alcaraz announced yesterday that he has split from his coach Juan Carlos Ferrero after seven hugely successful years together, with assistant coach Samuel Lopez set to take over.

time to read

2 mins

December 18, 2025

The Mercury

The Mercury

Jubilee Metals forecasts doubled copper production for 2026 as transition continues

JUBILEE Metals Group has forecast copper unit production for its full 2026 financial year to be within 4 500 tons to 5 100 tons, depending on the extent of the rainy season, which is more than double the 2 211t produced in the 2025 year.

time to read

3 mins

December 18, 2025

The Mercury

Drug busts in KZN yield over R1.6m in illegal narcotics

KWAZULU-NATAL police and municipal crime prevention units have recorded a series of drug-related arrests in Durban, Verulam, and Umzinto over the past week, resulting in the seizure of cocaine, heroin, and crystal meth valued at more than R1.6 million.

time to read

1 min

December 18, 2025

Listen

Translate

Share

-
+

Change font size