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The Citizen
09-05-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Plumtree's Sharks won't underestimate ‘genuine threat' of Ospreys
'They can beat anyone on their day, and as we know, we can probably lose to anyone on our day.' The Sharks have identified Daniel Kasende as one of the big threats in the Ospreys line-up. Picture:Needing just three points from two home matches against middle-of-the-table sides, the Sharks could be tempted to see their finish in the top four of the United Rugby Championship table as a foregone conclusion. Their coach doesn't, however. The fourth-placed Durban side host 11th-placed Ospreys first at Kings Park Stadium on Friday night (kick-off 7pm). The Welsh outfit has only won seven of 16 games so far this season, but John Plumtree highlighted that three of these were against Glasgow Warriors (second) and Stormers and Benetton, who have had more success. Sharks could lose to anyone on their day 'I take every game very seriously, trust me. Ospreys… float around the top four themselves,' Plumtree told media after naming another star-studded side to play in the match. 'They've got Welsh internationals, they've got experience. They've got one of the better loose forwards in Jac Morgan. He's pushing a place at the British & Irish Lions. Dewi Lake is the Welsh captain. These guys are a genuine threat. They can beat anyone on their day, and as we know, we can probably lose to anyone on our day.' He said it was good to play at home but the Sharks also have their own areas of improvement to be worked on. 'Often it's little skillset errors that are not under pressure situations where we are making errors. Those are the parts that are killing us the most. 'Sure, if your skillsets are put under pressure and an individual doesn't nail it, then that can be forgivable. But if it's not under pressure, then the expectation is we nail those moments and get back into our game whether it's attack or defence. That's the big challenge for the boys this week.' Plumtree anticipates a great match against Ospreys Plumtree said he was hoping for an 80-minute performance from the Sharks, rather than seeing more 'soft moments that are hitting us as a group'. 'These guys are a genuine threat. They will come here confident knowing they will bring their best game. We've lost to a Leinster side without stars, so they'll have their own aspirations and goals. It's going to be a great rugby match.' The Sharks squad sees the return of World Rugby and SA Player of the Year nominee, Eben Etzebeth. He captains the side after pulling out of the 22–19 win against Ulster two weeks ago due to flu. However, three Springboks miss out: Ox Nche (flu), Lukhanyo Am (swelling on knee), and Jordan Hendrikse (back issue) make room for Dian Bleuler, Siya Masuku and Jurenzo Julius, respectively. In the opposition, Plumtree said they were well aware of the challenge a number of Welsh internationals posed, as well as former Cheetahs wing Daniel Kasende. '[He] has been playing very well for them,' the Sharks coach said.
The Citizen
08-05-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Sharks squad v Ospreys: Etzebeth returns while three Springboks miss out
World Rugby and SA Player of the Year nominee Eben Etzebeth returns to captain the Sharks while Ox Nche, Lukhanyo Am and Jordan Hendrikse miss out. Springbok lock Eben Etzebeth has recovered from flu to lead the Sharks in their 17th-round United Rugby Championship match against Ospreys at Kings Park on Friday (kick-off 7pm). Head coach John Plumtree has largely stuck with the team that defeated Ulster 22–19 in Belfast two weeks ago although three Springboks have been withdrawn from the starting XV. There's just the one change to the pack with Dian Bleuler coming in for Ox Nche (who is ill) at loosehead prop, while Siya Masuku replaces Jordan Hendrikse at flyhalf and Jurenzo Julius takes over from Lukhanyo Am at outside centre. The latter two play off the bench, with Francois Venter and Yaw Penxe named as their replacements. Sharks need three points from two games After two vital overseas wins in successive weekends, the Sharks are fourth on the log, seven ahead of Cardiff who face the rampant Bulls at Loftus on Saturday. The Durban side need just three log points from the final two weekends to ensure a home quarter and semi-final (should they make the last four), but in this penultimate round will be looking for a full house of log points to nail down a top four place – or higher should other results go their way. Sharks starting XV: Aphelele Fassi, Ethan Hooker, Jurenzo Julius, André Esterhuizen, Makazole Mapimpi, Siya Masuku, Jaden Hendrikse, Siya Kolisi, Vincent Tshituka, James Venter, Jason Jenkins, Eben Etzebeth (C), Vincent Koch, Bongi Mbonambi, Dian Bleuler. Replacements: Fez Mbatha, Ntuthuko Mchunu, Hanro Jacobs, Emmanuel Tshituka, Phepsi Buthelezi, Bradley Davids, Francois Venter, Yaw Penxe. Players not available for selection due to injury or illness: Corne Rahl, Dylan Richardson, Emile van Heerden, Gerbrandt Grobler, Grant Williams, Henry Immelman, Jordan Hendrikse, Lukhanyo Am, Marnus Potgieter, Ox Nche, Ruan Dreyer, Trevor Nyakane
