{
  "id": 13111301,
  "title": "Sharks coach Pietersen backs Edwill and Ethan to combat Stormers’ aerial threat",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/09/sharks-coach-pietersen-backs-edwill-and-ethan-to-combat-stormers",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-09T12:22:32.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Citizen",
    "slug": "the-citizen",
    "url": "https://www.citizen.co.za/sport/rugby/sharks-pietersen-edwill-ethan-combat-stormers-aerial/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Sharks coach JP Pietersen has expressed confidence in Springboks Edwill van der Merwe and Ethan Hooker to handle the Stormers' aerial threat during their URC coastal derby at Cape Town Stadium on Saturday. The Stormers have brought back Damian Willemse at fullback, along with Seabelo Senatla and Leolin Zas in the wide areas, emphasizing the importance of the aerial battle as much as the scrums. Pietersen highlighted that both the forwards and backs are skilled and fast, making the technical side of the aerial contest crucial. The Sharks will face a setback with the departure of Luan Giliomee, who joined the Bulls, but are bolstered by the return of Zekhethelo Siyaya, who takes Giliomee's place at fullback and showed his prowess last year. Pietersen also discussed the expected returns of Vincent Tshituka, Makazole Mapimpi, Jordan Hendrikse, and Jaco Williams over the course of the year, though he avoided comments about the availability of hooker Bongi Mbonambi.",
  "summary": "The Sharks are preparing themselves for what should be a thrilling aerial battle in their URC coastal derby against the Stormers in Cape Town.",
  "key_points": [
    "JP Pietersen confident in Edwill and Ethan to handle Stormers' aerial threat.",
    "Stormers bring back Damian Willemse, Seabelo Senatla, and Leolin Zas for aerial battle.",
    "Sharks lose Luan Giliomee to Bulls, gain Zekhethelo Siyaya at fullback."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}