The Sharks are languishing at the wrong end of the URC log despite boasting one of the most expensive and star-studded squads in the competition.
After 11 rounds of all-out action, the Sharks have only managed to accumulate one victory, while suffering 10 defeats; a set of results that have them firmly rooted to the bottom of the table.
SHARKS COUNTING ON THE EXUBERANCE OF YOUTH
They host Steven Kitshoff’s Ulster at Kings Park in Durban on Saturday and coach Plumtree is so desperate to get his team back to winning ways that he has now looked to a number of young and inexperienced players to make a difference.
The 21-year-old Ethan Hooker has earned a starting berth at inside centre and will form a midfield partnership with two-time Rugby World Cup winner Lukhanyo Am.
Eduan Keyter is back from an injury layoff and slots in on the wing, while playmaker Siya Masuka has been trusted with the flyhalf ahead of the benched Curwin Bosch.
Young No 8 George Cronje and inexperienced tighthead prop Hanro Jacobs were also fast-tracked into the starting lineup of a Sharks team in the grips of arguable its worst-ever season.
WHAT PLUMTREE SAID ABOUT HOOKER
“I’ve been impressed with Ethan Hooker,” Plumtree said in a press conference on Friday. “I want to give him more time to gain confidence at this level. He’s come through the age grades here at the Sharks and the South African Under-20 team
“We are just looking at developing him as a No 12. He is a big boy and he’s got good speed.
“He needs a little work on his skill sets, but understands the defensive game well and has a very relaxed manner about him which is impressive. He doesn’t get overawed by the occasion and I think he has a massive future at the Sharks.”
PLUMTREE’S REMARKS ON KEYTER
“If you look at Eduan [Keyter] on the wing, I thought he played well against the Lions,” Plumtree said, adding ‘It grows our competition out wide.
“When Aphiwe [Dyantyi] comes back into consideration – he is not available at the moment – and we have Werner Kok and Mapimps. That’s the competition we want to create out wide.
PLUMTREE SPEAKS FONDLY OF MASUKU
“Curwin [Bosch] and Siya [Masuku] will fight it out for the Sharks’ No10 jersey. We will see how that battle goes and of course Curwin can play at fullback as well.
“It [the selection of Masuku] just opens up a bit of competition in the squad,” Plumtree said. There hasn’t been enough pressure on players for selection and what that does, it makes players comfortable and complacent.
PLUMTREE’S TEAM SELECTION
Sharks — 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Eduan Keyter, 13 Lukhanyo Am (captain), 12 Ethan Hooker, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Siya Masuka, 9 Jaden Hendrikse, 8 George Cronje, 7 Vincent Tshituka, 6 Phepsi Buthelezi, 5 Gerbrandt Grobler, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Hanro Jacobs, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Ntuthuko Mchunu.
Subs: 16 Kerron van Vuuren, 17 Ox Nche, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 Corne Rahl, 20 Jeandre Labuschagne, 21 Cameron Wright, 22 Curwin Bosch, 23 Francois Venter.
Discussion about this post