Bok boost won’t make Ulster a walkover for Sharks at Kings Park

The Sharks will get a timely lift this weekend from the availability of more of their Springbok big guns on their return to Kings Park for their United Rugby Championship (URC) clash against Ulster, but anyone expecting a comfortable homecoming victory could be in for a surprise.

The Irish visitors have started their URC campaign strongly, showing a disregard for big reputations in last weekend’s dismantling of the Bulls, where they combined sharp execution with defensive discipline to claim a second five-pointer and position themselves among the form sides of the competition.

The Bulls opted for a Springbok-laden squad in pursuit of their third consecutive win in the competition but came undone thanks to a second-half onslaught from the Irish side in Belfast.

Sharks head coach John Plumtree recalled Bok backs Ethan Hooker and Makazole Mapimpi to the starting line-up against Leinster, with forwards Bongi Mbonambi and Vincent Koch coming off the bench in the 31-5 loss to the defending champions.

He will have a lot more quality at his disposal this weekend, with the Bok big guns left at home in Durban coming into the reckoning for Saturday’s crunch clash. Ox Nché, Siya Kolisi, and Grant Williams should add power and much-needed composure to the squad, although Eben Etzebeth is unlikely to feature.

Plumtree will, however, be conscious that cohesion may take time to return.

Ulster, who are said to be undergoing a renaissance, have looked composed and well-drilled in their opening matches. They showed in the clash against the Bulls that they have the physicality to match up to the URC powerhouses and have been lethal on the counterattack, punishing teams who are loose in possession or poor in territorial kicking with rapid counters.

For the Sharks, who have struggled for rhythm, this clash is shaping up to be a real test of where they stand.

Up-front, the battle between Ulster’s precise line-out and maul against the Sharks’ physical scrum could prove decisive. The hosts will back their set piece to apply pressure, but discipline and accuracy will be essential against an Ulster pack that rarely loses structure.

The Sharks showed a worrying inability to capitalise on a dominant scrum in the drawn match against the Dragons, and cannot afford a repeat in their first home match of the season.

Ulster’s Irish stars all impressed against the Bulls, but recently signed No 8 Juarno Augustus was particularly eye-catching. The South African loose forward will surely be out to strengthen his case for inclusion in future Bok squads, having made the training squad, with strong performances against the Sharks and Lions.

In fact, the battle between the powerful second-rowers of both teams also promises to be intriguing on Saturday.

“I don’t think we should worry about any team we are playing,” Ulster head coach Richie Murphy said, earlier in the week, as quoted by BBC Sport.

“Going down to South Africa is obviously a very difficult place to go. The guys feel good about themselves at the moment and it’s important we keep working hard to try and get better every week.”

Plumtree has made no secret of his desire to turn Kings Park back into a fortress, and this fixture offers the chance to set that tone. But with Ulster travelling confidently and playing with purpose, the Sharks will need more than star power to claim a statement win.