No Eben Etzebeth or Bongi Mbonambi, but Plumtree expects Sharks ‘response’ against Bulls
The Bulls will face off against the Sharks in Durban tomorrow evening with no less than six Springboks-with captain Siya Kolisi among them- returning home for the local clash. Unfortunately, Eben Etzebeth and Bongi Mbonambi will be MIA.
Although two of the most influential players missed out, a reshuffled team that was on duty last weekend in the Champions Cup will be looking to keep the momentum going in the United Rugby Championship with a late-afternoon match in Durban (6pm start).
Etzebeth, outside of being ruled out by knocks, is not cleared after HIA but he was jettisoned by coach John Plumtree in announcing his team yesterday.
Kings Park last time had them so narrowly beat the Stormers, a match that left the team feeling the heat, and Plumtree would not want his side to make it go right down to the wire tomorrow.
If they win this match, it could push them further up the standings as they currently sit in sixth position on the URC log.
A loss here would dent their form in the competition, especially as this is the first of two local derbies.
Plumtree said that unfortunately, their planning for the Bulls suffered a few knocks this week.
“It has been a pretty disruptive week with cuts and illness in camp,” the coach said to the media at a team announcement conference yesterday.
“Eben failed his sway test (after sustaining a concussion), so he is unavailable.
“We haven’t had a perfect week by any means. But this is the competition, and we just have to be adaptable.
“You’ve got to be flexible, and deal with each day as it comes.”
Plumtree elaborated on Etzebeth’s sway test, saying after his mandatory 12 days after the concussion, he had to pass the sway test to be eligible, but he failed.
So, the Bok lock will have to sit out another week.
The Sharks coach added that Etzebeth is also struggling with some niggles in his back, and he will also go for a scan on his shoulder.
He confirmed that the other injured players, like Mbonambi, will be missing until next year, meaning they won’t feature in upcoming local derbies.
“The next two games will be a bit patchy in terms of our side. But, it’s still a good team we are putting out.”
They have an all-international front row, with Boks Ox Nche and Vincent Koch anchoring the scrum alongside Scottish hooker Dylan Richardson in the middle.
Kolisi is at the back of the scrum, with Phepsi Buthelezi and Emmanuel Tshituka on the sides.
Bok duo Jaden and Jordan Hendrikse will marshal the backline, and there will be a keen interest on how the scrumhalf-flyhalf brothers go against the Bulls.
Plumtree expects his side to put out a good response after last weekend’s drubbing in England.
“We don’t like losing by that margin,” Plumtree said about the 56-17 loss against Leicester Tigers.
“There is an expected response. It’s good to be back home in front of our supporters, and playing against a side like the Bulls would always bring the best out of us.
“I had to giggle a bit when I saw Jake’s (White, Bulls coach) comments about his (team) coming to play the Springboks.
“I think he has more Bok forwards than me, and if you look where games are won and lost, it’s in the front.
“So, I am sure they will target our pack. Our breakdown work also needs to be efficient, because they have three or four guys fetching in that team.”
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.
