Mike Greenaway
A week can be a famously long time in rugby, and the Sharks return to Durban in high spirits after the trauma of an excruciating defeat in Bordeaux transformed into a gutsy victory in Cardiff.
There was a worry that the 66-point drubbing by the French team might drain the Sharks of desire against the Welsh side in the United Rugby Championship fixture, but they fought from the first whistle to the last to win a crucial away game.
Time for a reset
The 42-22 match was massive because it cemented the Sharks in the top half of the URC, while allowing a squad that has been under immense pressure to retreat into a fortnight’s rest with their spirits high.
Never underestimate the importance of a win, however manufactured, when you are coming off a shock humiliation – nobody expected the Sharks to lose as comprehensively as they did to the star-studded Bordeaux side.
Before that match, Plumtree said, “I have been in coaching a long time and can’t remember being short of so many first-choice players and I want to just get over this patch and get some bodies back.”
Well, that patch included a horrific loss to the top team in France, but the Sharks’ overseas trip finished with a courageous win.
Now the players can go to the beach and soak up some rehabilitating sun before the February 15 URC match against the Bulls in Pretoria. By that date, Plumtree will have had a flood of returning players such as Eben Etzebeth, Aphelele Fassi, Andre Esterhuizen, Ox Nche, James Venter, Vincent Koch, and Gerbrant Grobler.
This flood of quality will give Plumtree a genuine shot at winning the URC and Challenge Cup.
Impact players
Plumtree praised his “impact players” after the win at Cardiff Arms Park on Saturday night. The Durbanites were looking good at 28-10 early in the second half when Bongi Mbonambi scored his second try, but Cardiff were good for two tries to narrow the gap by six points with 20 minutes to go.
“I’m thrilled with the result,” said Plumtree.
“I thought Cardiff were excellent. Losing flank Manu Tshituka and Nick Hatton put a lot of stress on our forwards, but I thought Deon Slabbert did really well coming off the bench. Jason Jenkins also adjusted well.”
“The critical thing in the last 15 minutes was when we put the impact players on and how they closed the game out,” Plumtree added.
