Plumtree: Return of Springboks doesn’t automatically guarantee a win

The Sharks side selected by coach John Plumtree to face Edinburgh in their United Rugby Championship (URC) clash looks formidable on paper, but many of the players haven’t featured together in over six months.

Plumtree cautioned that naming several Springboks in the line-up is no guarantee of victory, emphasising that cohesion is key, and that Edinburgh are a quality outfit in their own right.

The sides clash at The Hive stadium on Friday (kick-off 8.35pm), where Edinburgh beat the Lions 24–12 in the Challenge Cup round of 16 and then pipped the Bulls 34–28, in the quarter-finals, over the previous two weekends.

Returning Sharks need to find rhythm

Plumtree’s “full strength” matchday squad saw the return of Springbok lock, and nominee for both World and SA Player of the Year for 2024, Eben Etzebeth. Jumping straight into the starting XV after a long injury layoff, Etzebeth will also captain the side.

Springbok fullback Aphelele Fassi also features for the first time since a knee and ankle injury occurred in December. Springbok centre Lukhanyo Am and scrumhalf Grant Williams, who have been in and out of the squad due to injury, will also feature though Williams will play from the bench.

“A lot of boys haven’t been playing for a while – about four or five of them,” Plumtree said. “That’s all we’ve been working on for close to two weeks. Hopefully, we’ll see them click into gear and get a little bit of rhythm going in our game.

“As much as it is a strong Sharks side on paper, the challenge will be for us to get our game going.”

The coach said a match is not won or lost based on the players available for each side. Instead, “it will come down to the team that wants it the most, the team that works hard for it the most”.

He said the team had put a lot of effort into formulating a strategy to win the game.

“And if you look at Edinburgh, they’ve got a lot of experience and talent in their team. So just because we’ve got some Springboks, it doesn’t mean we’re going to get the W [win]. We will have to work for it.”

Etzebeth will be well-supported by Kolisi

Plumtree said Etzebeth was named as captain at the start of the season though he was well-supported by national captain Siya Kolisi, who had stepped in when Etzebeth was injured.

“It’s too long a season to have one captain. Siya has done a great job in that space but it will be good for Siya to just focus on his game and allow Eben to make the calls.”