JP plans for future with bold Siyaya pick

JP Pietersen says Zekhethelo Siyaya’s selection at flyhalf is with an eye firmly on the future. MORNÉ ESBEN reports.

The fleet-footed 18-year-old burst on the scene at fullback on tour against the Ospreys last month, and backed-up his eye-catching performance with another assured showing against Edinburgh a week later.

But now Siyaya will have to show a different skill set against Benetton in Durban on Saturday, with Pietersen eager to test his versatility.

TEAM: Siyaya at 10 for Sharks

“We’re planning ahead, planning for future,” Pietersen told the media on Thursday. “Jean Smith is moving on and we want to see if Siyaya has the capabilities of playing 10.

“It’s good if you can play more than one position. He played there in high school [for Westville], I think. He played flyhalf and then he transitioned to fullback, so we just want to see what he’s got at 10.”

The Sharks head into the clash after a disappointing Vodacom URC campaign that saw them miss out on the playoffs despite boasting one of the most star-studded squads in the competition.

Pietersen believes injuries played a major role in derailing their season.

“If you don’t have players available, you don’t build cohesion, you don’t build consistency,” he explained. “And I think that’s been a trend. We could never get a team together for more than four games.

“There’s always two games max. Then an injury or something happens. So I think that’s big.

“It’s been one of those years we’ve just been unlucky with injuries.”

SCHALK: Sharks only got themselves to blame

Despite the setbacks, Pietersen praised several younger players for stepping up when opportunities came their way.

“But it also shows that other guys didn’t give up. They’ve taken their opportunities. Look at Siyaya. [Luan] Giliomee took his opportunity, and we would have never known what we’ve got if there hadn’t been injuries.”

Pietersen expects another stern examination against a Benetton side still fighting hard in the URC.

“Benetton’s a strong side,” he said. “They’ve got a good set-piece and a lot of Italian internationals in there. They’ve got a good midfield and a good kicking game.

“They do well with the high balls and the contestables and they’ve got Rayno [Smith] who probably knows the Sharks inside out.

“Against Leinster, they pressurised them in the kicking game, so we know what’s coming this way.”

Zekhethelo Siyaya too smooth with it!🕴️✨@vodacom #urc pic.twitter.com/kGoOKegGAs

— The Sharks (@SharksRugby) April 29, 2026

Photo: Steve Haag/Gallo Images