Mike Greenaway
The Sharks’ maiden match in the Champions Cup was like a chapter out of Ripley’s Believe it or Not and while they have banked invaluable points by beating Exeter, they have left for Leicester Tigers uncertain whether to laugh or cry.
Not on board the flight to a second-round match against the Tigers this weekend is colossal captain Eben Etzebeth (concussion) and a pair of in-form flankers in Vincent Tshituka and James Venter, both of whom have suffered serious arm injuries. Centre Lukhanyo Am is another on the long-term injury list.
On the flight to the UK, John Plumtree and his coaching staff will contemplate a peculiar performance in which their team did not pitch for the first 20 minutes and then were reduced by ill discipline to 12 players for the final quarter.
In between, the Sharks played some spectacular rugby that harvested five stunning tries and ultimately won them the game, but they must wisen up if they are to be contenders in the toughest provincial competition on the planet.
“I thought Exeter were really tough, particularly in the first 20 or 30 minutes,” Plumtree said.
“They were very physical and we suffered a couple of injuries. We had to adjust to those injuries to our loose forwards and fix the line-out. Dylan Richardson was supposed to come on at hooker but he went to flank.
“I felt we played some very good rugby although it has come at a considerable expense,” the coach continued.
“Our squad is going to be under pressure. It looks like two loose forwards could be out for a while, Eben suffered a concussion and (lock) Gerbrandt Grobler has picked up a long-term injury.
“Now we've got to navigate a trip across to Leicester, come back and play a tough Bulls side and we finish the year off with the Stormers in Cape Town. So, we're in for a big three weeks with a squad that's been diminished by injuries.”
Phepsi Buthelezi is a player that has shot up the loose forward ladder and he will carry a big work load over the rest of December.
“Phepsi's been coming off the bench for us and doing a great job over the last couple of weeks,“ said Plumtree. “I thought he was outstanding and he combined very well with Siya (Kolisi).”
The Springboks skipper has been thriving in his new role at No 8 and he played the full 80 minutes
“I like Siya at eight," Plumtree said.
“He needs more ball in his hands because he's such a skilful player. I just think for him right now, at this stage of his career — where he's such an intelligent player and understands the game so well you want to give him the ball as much as possible.”