Vowles salutes Sharks’ ‘special’ star

Sharks XV coach Mike Vowles has described Lyle Matthews as “a special talent” after the winger’s hat-trick heroics in Nelspruit. betsport.cv

Matthews crossed three times in a devastating first-half display as the Sharks raced into a 19-5 lead, before holding off a spirited Pumas comeback to secure a hard-fought 26-24 win at Mbombela Stadium on Friday night.

REPORT: Sharks hold on for narrow win

While Matthews grabbed the headlines, Vowles felt the result was built on something much deeper than individual brilliance.

“I just need to acknowledge the fight and the character of the group to stay in it and to finish it off like we did,” he said.

“The one thing that we have spoken about as a team is our connection and our ability to really work hard for one another.”

For Vowles, his side’s ability to withstand the late onslaught was proof of the culture they have worked hard to build.

“I think that performance was more than just rugby,” he said. “I think it was about a team that was connected and were really prepared to go deep for each other, which I think is a fantastic reflection on our leadership team who’ve worked hard to pull this thing together.”

MORE: Stormers coach explains Oli removal

The biggest smile, however, was reserved for Matthews, whose route to the professional game makes his performance all the more remarkable.

The winger joined the Sharks from club side Hillcrest Villagers after catching the coaches’ attention with a string of standout displays.

“Special mention to Lyle Matthews, who was Man of the Match,” said Vowles. “Lyle joined us from club rugby and his performances were rewarded with a call-up to our squad.

“I’m just so happy that he took his opportunity and was able to produce what he did. He’s a special talent and, most importantly, just the most incredible human being, so his success is fantastic and I’m so happy for him.”

Photo: Dirk Kotze/Gallo Images

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On prend maintenant la direction de l'Afrique du Sud, à l'université de Witwatersrand, à Johannesburg, sur un campus qui date de 1896, devenue université de Wits en 1992. Cet établissement d'excellence, classé parmi les meilleurs du continent, est aussi connu pour son ancrage libéral et pour son activisme, notamment contre le régime de l'apartheid. Wits occupe aujourd'hui une place centrale dans la décolonisation des savoirs.

Tom Dawson-Squibb and Jean-Luc du Plessis hailed the character of the Stormers XXIII after Friday’s result at Cape Town Stadium, but insisted the club has “a long way to go”.

In Dawson-Squibb’s first game in charge, Stefan Ungerer’s late try for the Stormers sealed a 25-19 win over Griquas to snap an eight-match losing streak against the defending Currie Cup champions.

“You never want to get too high or too low, but we feel good,” the head coach said. “It wasn’t pretty, but I’m massively proud of the character.”

The Stormers were undone by ill-discipline in the first half of their season-opener, conceding two yellow cards and repeated penalties that let Griquas build a foothold through tries from Sako Makata and Lourens Oosthuizen.

“[Penalties] was a huge frustration,” Dawson-Squibb said. “I can’t fault the bravery; we had 13 men at one stage and we kept defending. But our discipline needs to get better, no doubt about that.”

RECAP: Stormers break Griquas hoodoo

Vernon Paulo and Mfundo Ndhlovu tries either side of the break gave the hosts the lead, but Dawson-Squibb said the reduced penalty count in the second 40 brought little relief.

“We halved our penalties but it didn’t give us more territory, so we had to keep working hard. We have to go back to the drawing board and channel that enthusiasm into accurate execution.”

Captain Du Plessis, who opened the scoring with a penalty before departing with a knee injury at the interval, added: “The attitude was definitely there.

“We knew the challenge that was ahead of us, but we know what we are capable of, and had belief in ourselves.

“I said to the guys in the changing room, ‘thank you, this means a lot to me’. It’s only the first game … but to win like we did at home, it feels lekker.”

REPORT: Sharks hold on for narrow win

Dawson-Squibb, a former Proteas performance specialist and UCT Ikeys boss, was also quick to downplay his impact at the helm of the rebranded Western Province outfit.

“As a coach, you’re just a custodian – we are lucky to get the opportunity to work with these players. I’m also proud of the coaches. They deserve a lot of credit for mapping out the scenarios.

“We’ve got a long way to go, and I don’t think I’ve arrived at all. We won one game in the 79th minute!”

The Capetonians travel to Wellington next week to face a Boland Cavaliers side that beat them in the pre-season.

“We know it will be a packed stadium, and we’ve got our work cut out against them, but we’re excited,” Dawson-Squibb said.

Look at what it means! #inittogether pic.twitter.com/LfBd2EKOfP

— DHL Stormers (@THESTORMERS) July 17, 2026

Photo: Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images

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Head coach Tom Dawson-Squibb has shed light on several injury concerns following the Stormers XXIII’s 2026 Currie Cup opener, including a forced substitution of Oli Kebble.

Speaking post-match at Cape Town Stadium, Dawson-Squibb moved to ease fears over Kebble after the loosehead prop was taken off early in Friday night’s 25-19 win over Griquas.

“Oli was called off by the match-day doctor; the protocol is ‘Recognise and Remove’,” the Stormers tactician told reporters.

“The doctor had seen something that made him think that Oli must come off the field. Apparently, he had a knock on his shoulder.

“Oli should be fine … he is definitely fine.”

RECAP: Stormers break Griquas hoodoo

Recognise and Remove is World Rugby’s mandatory first-line concussion protocol. Any player showing signs, or even suspected signs, of a concussion must be taken off immediately and isn’t permitted to return to play.

Stormers director of rugby John Dobson rushed pitchside when the 34-year-old Kebble was replaced by Mhleli Khuzwayo, before returning to his seat outside the coaches’ box visibly frustrated.

Kebble wasn’t the only worry for the Stormers coaching staff ahead of next Sunday’s derby trip to the Boland Cavaliers. Captain and flyhalf Jean-Luc du Plessis went off at half-time with a knee injury, while No 8 Wandile Mlaba also took a blow to the leg.

“Hopefully JL pulls through alright,” Dawson-Squibb said. “Wandile had a bit of a niggle, but he just walked past [the media room] and he looks fine!

“He had a bit of a knock on his knee, but I think he’ll be OK.”

Friday’s match was settled minutes before the final hooter when Stefan Ungerer crossed the whitewash. But referee Stephan Geldenhuys sent the try to the TMO for several replays of a possible knock-on in the build-up.

REPORT: Sharks hold on for narrow win

The nervy finish capped a game the Stormers led twice through Vernon Paulo and Mfundo Ndhlovu before a 13-man Griquas almost secured victory.

“I don’t think I’d be sitting here now if that was given as a knock-on,” Dawson-Squibb quipped. “I think one must be careful when one goes upstairs. It doesn’t always mean it’s an infringement.

“If I look at the clip, and I haven’t watched it afterwards yet, but he [Geldenhuys] was right in position. He was in a better position than any camera.

“For me, it was clearly not forward, so we would have been fairly frustrated had that been given as forward.”

Photo: Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images

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