Shocked Sharks must ‘empty tanks’ in Cardiff, says John Plumtree

Sharks coach John Plumtree says his team will have a suitable “response” in tomorrow’s United Rugby Championship match against Cardiff after last week’s battering in Bordeaux.

Plumtree said yesterday from Wales that his team have no alternative but to dust themselves off after a 66-12 hammering in France, and step up this weekend.

“We need a response,” Plumtree said.

“Last week was unfortunate, but this week we have to move on quickly because this is a massive game in a different competition – and we have ambitions in the URC.

“We are just above mid-table, and a win will put us in a good position.

“We must be hungry for this one, and the players have to empty their tanks because we have a break after this match.

“We have a lot of pride in the jersey, and we have spoken about what went wrong against Bordeaux,” the coach said.

"We were in the game for 45 minutes and then our skill-sets on both sides of the ball let us down. Bordeaux are so good, and cashed in on our mistakes.

“When you let a classy side like that gain momentum, the scoreboard changes quickly.

“They hurt you from broken play, and when their confidence goes up, they are very difficult to stop.”

Plumtree said his team were in shock in the change-room afterwards.

“None of us expected that kind of result, and it was tough to digest. The players were in shock. We certainly were not expecting the game to turn out the way it did.

“The season is relentless, and I have been in this situation before as a coach – I know what it is like to get a hiding, but these young players are not used to it and I have had to pick them up.

“We can play good rugby. We made Bordeaux look average for the opening 20 minutes, but we could not sustain it – and a good side like Bordeaux will capitalise when your skills go missing."

The Sharks have a new captain in Vincent Tshituka for the Cardiff match as they look to rebound.

Regular captain Siya Kolisi is being rested in terms of Springbok protocols, and Tshituka not only returns from injury, but takes up the captaincy in the unfamiliar role of No 4 lock.

Locked in 🔥😎#SharksJuniors pic.twitter.com/UZAJy4VkDJ

— The Sharks (@SharksRugby) January 23, 2025

The Sharks have been thin on the ground in the second row for some time, and the concussion suffered last week by Corné Rahl has meant Tshituka must step in as a replacement.

Kolisi has been replaced by Currie Cup captain Nick Hatton, who flew over to Wales on Monday.

Plumtree has been able to call on reinforcements.

Springbok Jordan Hendrikse is back from injury, but will start at fullback as Plumtree continues with Siya Masuku at flyhalf.

Also back is wing Makazole Mapimpi, while Vincent Koch provides cover from the bench after missing out on last week’s Champions Cup disaster.

With the experienced Mapimpi back, Plumtree has moved rising star Ethan Hooker from the left wing to inside centre.

Grant Williams continues at scrumhalf, and Jaden Hendrikse shadows him from the bench.

* Meanwhile, the EPCR organisers announced late on Thursday that Sharks fullback Hakeem Kunene will receive a three-week suspension for a dangerous tackle against Bordeaux.

“Sharks fullback Hakeem Kunene has been suspended for three weeks following the decision of an independent Disciplinary Committee arising from the Champions Cup Round 4 match between Bordeaux and Sharks,” the statement read.

Beautiful hands by the Hollywoodbets Sharks 🤩🏉

Hakeem Kunene crashes over in the corner 🙌

📺 Stream #InvestecChampionsCup on DStv: https://t.co/0P0NNhnwKw pic.twitter.com/nY602oTdeG

— SuperSport Rugby (@SSRugby) January 19, 2025

“Kunene was cited by the match Citing Commissioner, Tim Lowry (Ireland), for a dangerous tackle on Bordeaux wing Arthur Retiere, in the 12th minute of the match.

“Kunene accepted that he had committed an act of foul play, but did not accept that it warranted a red card. The Committee heard evidence and submissions from the player and his representatives, and from the EPCR Disciplinary Officer, Liam McTiernan.

“The Committee determined that Kunene had committed an act of foul play that did warrant a red card and accordingly upheld the citing.

“It was then decided that the offending was at the mid-range of World Rugby’s sanctions, and six weeks was selected as the appropriate entry point.

“Taking into account the player’s acceptance that he had committed an act of foul play, his good disciplinary record and his full co-operation with the disciplinary process, the Committee decided to reduce the sanction by the maximum of 50% before imposing a three-week suspension.

“Due to his club’s upcoming fixtures and his current injury status, Kunene will be free to play on Monday, 10 March.

“However, if he applies for and successfully completes a World Rugby Coaching Intervention, he will be free to play on Monday, 3 March.” | Independent Media Sport

Sharks Team

15 Jordan Hendrikse 14 Yaw Penxe 13 Jurenzo Julius 12 Ethan Hooker 11 Makazole Mapimpi 10 Siya Masuku 9 Grant Williams 8 Nick Hatton 7 Emmanuel Tshituka 6 Phepsi Buthelezi 5 Jason Jenkins 4 Vincent Tshituka (captain) 3 Trevor Nyakane 2 Bongi Mbonambi 1 Ntuthuko Mchunu.

Bench: 16 Ethan Bester 17 Ruan Dreyer 18 Vincent Koch 19 Deon Slabbert 20 Jeandré Labuschagne 21 Jaden Hendrikse 22 Francois Venter 23 Lukhanyo Am.