Comment: It’s time for Sharks’ big-name imports to deliver

It’s now time for the Sharks to show what they’re made of and for the Springbok players brought into the side in the last two years to stand up and deliver.

It’s the business end of the United Rugby Championship and there is no wiggle room if Neil Powell and his charges want to feature in the playoffs and make a big play for the title this year.

The Sharks have had an up and down time of it in recent months, but now have the opportunity to make a statement to the other teams in the competition.

Top eight

Powell’s men are seventh in the standings on 41 points, and being chased by Connacht (39) and Benetton (38) in the race for a top eight finish. All the teams have three league games to play.

Besides this weekend’s clash with Scarlets in Wales on Saturday, the Sharks also have to face Benetton and Munster, both at home. It’s going to be a big ask to win all three, and that is why Siya Kolisi and Co will have to come to the party.

Kolisi, Bongi Mbonambi and Eben Etzebeth were all brought in over the last two years to boost the Sharks and while they have performed well when they have played, they have also had a lot of time off, due to national resting protocols.

Rohan Jansen van Rensburg and Francois Venter, both Springboks, as well as former Lions stars Carlu Sadie and Vincent Tshituka have also been signed in recent times, while Vincent Koch is the latest Bok to be lured to Durban.

Bok camp

With the Sharks also still in action in the Champions Cup — they take on Munster next weekend with a place in the quarter-finals on the line — it’s a big few weeks for the team, and especially the Bok players.

Kolisi, Mbonambi, Etzebeth and Ox Nche have had several weeks off, spending time in a Bok training camp, so will go into action against Scarlets with not much game-time and action behind them. The big question is: How will they perform?

Will these men and a few others be rusty or will they be refreshed and rejuvenated?

Due to all the changes in player and coaching personnel and ownership at the Sharks in recent times there is a huge expectation for the senior team to play well and win regularly. And rightly so.

So, it is now up to Powell, who was also brought in from the Sevens set-up, and his charges to pay back the faith shown in them by making a big push for URC (and Champions Cup) honours this year.

On Saturday, 10 Springboks will start against the Scarlets (7.10pm), with a further three on the bench. The Sharks’ hosts have won just five of their 15 games so far and could be in for a 10th defeat.

More importantly, Powel’s men need a ninth win, and a big performance to go with it.