Ruan Vermaak of the Vodacom Bulls challenged by Trevor Nyakane of the Sharks during the United Rugby Championship 2024/25 match between Hollywoodbets Sharks and Vodacom Bulls at Hollywoodbets Kings Park Stadium in Durban on the 21st of December 2024. File Picture: Nokwanda Zondi, BackpagePix
Mike Greenaway
The Sharks’ team announcement press release contained a list of unavailable players that could comprise another match-23, but Jake White will not be fooled into thinking that the visitors will be a pushover.
The wily Bulls coach was not born yesterday, and he will see a formidable starting XV.
Still, he will also note that the Sharks’ bench is mostly inexperienced.
And if the Bulls open the taps in the last 20 minutes, their superior bench – plus the debilitating effect of altitude – could see a flurry of points for the home side in Saturday’s United Rugby Championship clash at Loftus Versfeld (5pm kick-off).
For the Sharks, this is the problem when you have a host of first-choice players out – the squad depth can ensure a competitive starting side, but it is on the bench where resources run thin.
Looking at the Sharks’ bench, there is relative inexperience, apart from former Springboks Ruan Dreyer and Francois Venter.
Given that the Bulls’ set-piece has been imperious of late, notably in recent derbies against the Stormers and Lions, the Sharks’ tight five is something of a mixed bag.
The all-Bok front row of Trevor Nyakane, Bongi Mbonambi and Ntuthuko Mchunu is not too shabby, and the second row of Jason Jenkins and Corné Rahl is promising, but some way off the first-choice lock pair of Eben Etzebeth and Gerbrandt Grobler.
Similarly, the loose trio of Phepsi Buthelezi, Vincent Tshituka and former Zimbabwean Tino Mavesere will give it stick, but circumstance has removed inspirational players in Siya Kolisi and James Venter.
For the Sharks, this game will hinge on whether their pack can provide decent possession for a seriously slick backline. There are lethal threats from nine to 15 in a backline comprised of Grant Williams, Siya Masuku, Lukhanyo Am, Jurenzo Julius, Yaw Penxe and Jordan Hendrikse.
White will want his potent pack to cut the Sharks off at source, and then turn the screws in the last quarter.
If the Sharks don’t get ball and rack up points in the first half, it could be a painful afternoon for them.
One thing the Sharks will have is energy, according to backline coach Dave Williams.
“After our last match, against Cardiff, we had some downtime, and then we got together last week for two very good training days. We focused on ourselves, and this week, we did more preparation for the Bulls,” Williams said on Thursday.
“There has been a lot of excitement at training. When the coaching staff and playing group get time off to connect with their families again, it creates a lot of energy.
“The guys came back refreshed, and a new intensity has been added to the training sessions.”
Williams said he is happy with the quality of the squad that will travel to Pretoria.
“The guys who have a chance to play will get stuck in, and it increases the depth of our squad. That depth will grow over the coming weeks, and it will be vital as we get to the business end of the season.
“But for Saturday, we have quality through the positions, and plenty of guys who can influence the game.”
Williams said the Durban outfit have taken note of the recent performances of the Bulls forwards.
“Rugby is built around the set-pieces, the scrums and the line-outs, but we have attacking threats in the backline – and we can be dangerous in transitional play, especially from, kick-returns. We have real threats to influence the game,” he said.
“But, yes, we have looked at the points of pressure where the Bulls excel.
“Their scrum has been going well, but we want a complete performance in all aspects of the game. We can get advantages in other areas of the game.”
Sharks Team: 15 Jordan Hendrikse 14 Yaw Penxe 13 Jurenzo Julius 12 Lukhanyo Am 11 Ethan Hooker 10 Siya Masuku 9 Grant Williams 8 Phespi Buthelezi 7 Vincent Tshituka (captain) 6 Tino Mavesere 5 Jason Jenkins 4 Corné Rahl 3 Trevor Nyakane 2 Bongi Mbonambi 1 Ntuthuko Mchunu. Bench: 16 Ethan Bester 17 Ruan Dreyer 18 Hanro Jacobs 19 Lappies Labuschagne 20 Jannes Potgieter 21 Bradley Davids 22 Francois Venter 23 Jaco Williams.