The continued absence of prime Springbok beef in Eben Etzebeth and Bongi Mbonambi has opened the door for the Bulls to have one heck of a crack at the Sharks upfront in this evening’s mouth-watering United Rugby Championship derby in Durban (6pm kick-off).
The problem for the home team is compounded by the injuries to first-choice loose forwards Vincent Tshituka and James Venter, while the long-term injury to seasoned lock Gerbrandt Grobler has removed another strand of steel from the pack.
Sharks coach John Plumtree was laughing when he had a playful dig at counterpart Jake White for saying the Bulls were coming to “play the Springboks”, because the reality is that it is the Bulls that now boast a fistful of Boks.
But privately, Plumtree must be worried that his pack could be in for a mauling, especially because the injuries to his key forwards mean his bench is significantly weaker than that of the visitors.
Get ready for a blockbuster 🍿@vodacom #URC #SHAvBUL pic.twitter.com/CJFmG3OiFm
— The Sharks (@SharksRugby) December 20, 2024
“Games are won and lost upfront, and they will target our pack. We know we have to play really well against a Bulls pack that is almost at full strength,” Plumtree said.
The Sharks’ backline is packed with power – in particular, the midfield of André Esterhuizen and Ethan Hooker is potent – but will they get front-foot ball?
”We need to give our backs good possession,” Plumtree agreed.
“Our breakdown work needs to be very efficient because they have three or four excellent fetchers in their pack.
“Cameron Hanekom is one of the best in the business; they even have Marcell Coetzee (playing off the bench) who can fetch.
“It adds up a tough challenge for us upfront, and they will go hard at slowing down our ball,” the coach continued.
“It is all going to be how we handle them upfront, and how we defend.”
The injuries at loose forward see Plumtree taking the unusual step of picking Phepsi Buthelezi at openside flank, when he has played nearly all of his rugby at blindside flank or No 8.
Emmanuel Tshituka is on the blindside and Siya Kolisi at No 8.
It is an unsettled, unproven combination, and the Bulls will sense an opportunity to dominate the breakdown.
Grafting 🙌@vodacom #URC #SHAvBUL pic.twitter.com/3i3WLLWPQJ
— The Sharks (@SharksRugby) December 19, 2024
But Plumtree said the pressure should not be on the loosies alone.
“It is not up to one player to deal with the breakdown,” he said.
“They happen all over the field. The backs need to be able to clean well, the props need to clean well, and also the locks.
“They all have responsibilities to make sure we keep the Bulls poachers off our ball.
“But it is not just about us keeping them out – we want to put pressure on them too.”
Plumtree added that while Buthelezi is not renowned as a fetcher, Dylan Richardson and Kolisi can win ball at ruck-time while Esterhuizen is proficient in the art of turning over the ball.
“The breakdown battle will be fascinating to watch,” Plumtree admitted.
“A lot is based around momentum. If our ball-carries are good, it is easier to clean the rucks.
All in 🦈@Vodacom #URC #SHAvBUL pic.twitter.com/KuEfZMuwAK
— The Sharks (@SharksRugby) December 18, 2024
“But if the carries are not effective, we will struggle. They want to stop us getting fast ball, and we want to do the same to them.”
Plumtree said the forward exchanges at the Shark Tank will not be for the faint of heart.
“What makes the local derbies so special is the fact that the level of physicality goes up a level. That is what makes these games so special. And the Bulls-Sharks clashes over the years have been great in that department.” | Independent Media Sport
Sharks Team
15 Aphelele Fassi 14 Yaw Penxe 13 Ethan Hooker 12 André Esterhuizen 11 Makazole Mapimpi 10 Jordan Hendrikse 9 Jaden Hendrikse 8 Siya Kolisi (captain) 7 Emmanuel Tshituka 6 Phepsi Buthelezi 5 Emile van Heerden 4 Jason Jenkins 3 Vincent Koch 2 Dylan Richardson 1 Ox Nche.
Bench: 16 Ethan Bester 17 Ruan Dreyer 18 Trevor Nyakane 19 Corné Rahl 20 Nick Hatton 21 Cameron Wright 22 Siya Masuku 23 Jurenzo Julius.