Sharks could have a future Springbok prop in Simphiwe Matanzima, says John Plumtree

While success has eluded the Sharks on their URC tour, a big positive has been their strong set piece, with newcomers Simphiwe Matanzima and Marvin Orie contributing significantly against Glasgow and the Dragons.

There have been shades of the Springboks in the way the Sharks’ scrum has advanced, and coach John Plumtree needs that, and more, when his team concludes their tour with a daunting visit to champions Leinster.

The Irish giants are smarting from their two recent defeats in South Africa, while they are bringing back a raft of experienced internationals in James Lowe, Jamison Gibson-Park, Garry Ringrose, James Ryan, Dan Sheehan, Andrew Porter, Jack Conan, and Tadhg Furlong for the Aviva Stadium encounter.

Matanzima has formed a powerful front row with hooker Fez Mbatha and veteran Ruan Dreyer, the four-time Springbok and former Lion. Completing the tight five in Dublin is newcomer Marvin Orie, who played 16 Tests for the Boks between 2018 and 2023, and another former Bok in Jason Jenkins.

“The scrum was outstanding last week, and I have been impressed with Matanzima,” Plumtree said of the former Blue Bull. “He has come to us not in the condition that we want him to be in; he still needs to get a lot fitter, but he has a great attitude and has been working very hard with our trainers.

“I think he could be a Springbok,” Plumtree added. “I have been very impressed with him, but it is still early days. He has a fair bit of work to do yet. But with him and Ox Nche on that loosehead side, they are going to be a pretty formidable pairing.”

Matanzima was recruited with the view of backing up Nche, while there are doubts around the future of Trevor Nyakane — the 36-year-old ruptured his Achilles tendon against the Bulls in February, ending his season, and he is yet to make a comeback.

Dreyer, who, like Nyakane, can play either side of the scrum, is also entering the end of his career at the age of 35, so Matanzima has a big future at the Sharks.

Orie is a much-travelled 32-year-old — he had stints at the Bulls, Lions, Stormers, Ospreys, and Perpignan before joining the Sharks a short while ago.

“Marvin is just starting to understand the way we play,” Plumtree said. “Against Glasgow in our first tour match, we had nine debutants, and part of the reason why we could not get across the line against Glasgow was that a lot of players did not understand our game model. Two weeks deep into the tour, Marvin is getting into it more as we have worked harder with him.

“He was one of four new combinations that we have had to put together on this tour because of the (16) injuries that we have had, but Marvin has not played with Jason Jenkins yet, so it is up to them to find some early synergy. They have done that in training and must transfer it onto the pitch against Leinster.

“My challenge to Marvin is that he has played in a few different clubs, but I still want to make him a better player, not just the same guy who plays the same rugby for a different team. That has been my challenge for him,” Plumtree continued.

“In fairness to him, I think he is stepping up and playing better footie.”

At flyhalf, Jean Smith has been retained ahead of the more experienced Siya Masuku, who is back from injury.

“I was pretty happy with how Jean played last week against the Dragons in terrible conditions,” Plumtree said. “I want to see how he goes with a bit more experience around him now. I want to see how he can run our game under the pressure Leinster will bring.

“Siya has just flown over, so I wanted him to settle in without the pressure of starting.”

Sharks team for Leinster

15 Edwill van der Merwe, 14 Ethan Hooker, 13 Jurenzo Julius, 12 Lukhanyo Am, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Jean Smith, 9 Jaden Hendrikse, 8 Vincent Tshituka (captain), 7 Manu Tshituka, 6 Phepsi Buthelezi, 5 Marvin Orie, 4 Jason Jenkins, 3 Ruan Dreyer, 2 Fez Mbatha, 1 Simphiwe Matanzima.

Replacements: 16 Bongi Mbonambi, 17 Dian Bleuler, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 Bathobele Hlekani, 20 Nick Hatton, 21 Ross Braude, 22 Siya Masuku, 23Francois Venter.