JP Pietersen: Jordan Hendrikse is the right man for the flyhalf job against Bulls

For many folk, Saturday’s URC derby between the Sharks and the Bulls at Kings Park is a “Dance of the Desperados”, but JP Pietersen believes both teams are better than their log position suggests.

The Sharks are 14h out of 16 teams after just one win in six games, while the Bulls are eighth, with three wins from their six fixtures, but it is their recent form that is a concern — they have lost their last four games across all competitions.

“I think the Sharks and Bulls have played some good rugby this season, even though the results don’t reflect that,” Pietersen said. “Looking at the Bulls’ last two matches (against Toulouse and Northampton), they have scored some excellent tries.

“I think both teams will see this derby as an opportunity to get better,” Pietersen continued. “We looked at the positives from last week and how we can build on them. It’s been a good week, there’s good energy in the group.”

Pietersen said Sharks-Bulls derbies never disappoint, and Saturday’s game (6pm kick-off) will be no exception.

“For me as a player, it was probably my favourite fixture and most challenging game to play.

“On Saturday, they will be a bit desperate, and so will we,” Pietersen continued. “It’s a derby, it’s sold out, and hopefully both teams can bring the best out of each other and give the crowd something special.”

The Bulls will be fielding their strongest team of the season. Besides Springbok backs such as Handre Pollard and Kurt-Lee Arendse, back in the harness up front will be devastating scrummagers in Wilco Louw, Johan Grobbelaar, and Gerhard Steenekamp, not to mention lineout guru Ruan Nortje.

“They’ve got a very good squad,” Pietesen admitted. “With guys like Wilco, Grobbies, etc, we know what they will bring. The scrum is a big part of the game, and it’s going to be a battle. They’ve got a good pack, we’ve got a good pack —that’s what rugby is about.

“We have to contest at scrum time, and they’ve got a good lineout with Ruan Nortje. Their loose trio is good too. They have Marco van Staden, and the Sheriff (Elrigh Louw) is back. So it’ll be a good, physical game.”

Pietersen has made just two changes to his side that beat Saracens last week — Jordan Hendrikse replaces George Whitehead at flyhalf, and Hakeem Kunene comes in for concussed Aphelele Fassi.

“Jordan’s first game back at 10 was against Toulouse two weeks ago,” Pietersen explained. “He struggled with a bit of a shin splint before that, so we took our time bringing him back.

“With Fassi unavailable, we needed Jordan at fullback, but as a coaching group, we felt this was the right time to allow him to lead the team at 10.

“In my eyes, Jordan is primarily a flyhalf. I trust him. And after this game, George goes back to Griquas.”

Whitehead was on loan to the Sharks from the Kimberley union.

“I think Jordan will do a great job at 10 and he is capable of doing it,” Pietersen said. “Will there be moments where things are a little bit off? Yes. That’s normal, it’s part of the game. But I trust his ability to bring the best out of the group.”

Sharks team for Bulls

15 Hakeem Kunene, 14 Edwill van der Merwe, 13 Ethan Hooker, 12 Andre Esterhuizen (capt), 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Jordan Hendrikse, 9 Grant Williams, 8 Phepsi Buthelezi, 7 Vincent Tshituka, 6 Siya Kolisi, 5 Emile van Heerden, 4 Jason Jenkins, 3 Hanro Jacobs, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Phatu Ganyane.

Bench: 16 Eduan Swart, 17 Lee-Marvin Mazibuko, 18 Mawande Mdanda, 19 Marvin Orie, 20 Matt Romao, 21 Nick Hatton, 22 Jaden Hendrikse, 23 George Whitehead.