Plumtree confident Sharks can beat Bulls in URC semi-final without Eben Etzebeth

Sharks coach John Plumtree reckons his blood pressure has only recently returned to normal after the drama of a penalty shoot-out with Munster last week, and the early week injury to Eben Etzebeth won’t have helped his stress levels.

That said, Plumtree was calm and philosophical when he spoke to the media about his team’s chances of upsetting the Bulls in Saturday’s United Rugby Championship semi-final at Loftus Versfeld.

Etzebeth has been replaced by youngster Corne Rahl while Emile van Heerden comes in for another injured Springbok in Jason Jenkins.

Apart from that double blow in the second row, Plumtree has picked the same starting 15 that won the quarter-final.

Plumtree said the loss of his first-choice locks was a setback but stressed that rugby is a team sport.

“How much of a loss is Eben? He is probably the best lock in the world, so it’s a big loss, but the thing is it’s a team game; one person doesn’t make this team and we’ve won games without him this year,” Plumtree said.

“He got a head knock at training,” explained Plumtree. “We decided that it’s best not to risk him this week, so we made a pretty early call.

“He’s feeling a lot better by the way, he’s been communicating with me and the team, and I’m not overly concerned about it. I’m pretty sure that if we go through, he’ll be available next week.”

Plumtree admitted that the injury to the in-form Jenkins had also been keenly felt.

“Jason is a big loss for us, too. He played a pivotal role for us, with Eben being out for so much; he’s played at four, and he’s played at five,” Plumtree added.

“It’s really disappointing not to see him in the Springbok squad at the moment as well. I think he deserves to be there.”

Etzebeth’s replacement, Rahl, is hardly a lightweight. The blond-haired giant is 2.03m and weighs 122kg. Importantly, the 22-year-old has been under Etzebeth’s wing for two years and would have learned plenty from the best in the business.

The other incoming lock, Van Heerden, is no slouch and has the pedigree of being the son of former Springbok lock Fritz van Heerden. He, in any case, played most of last week’s game after Jenkins went off injured.

“Corne is a different player to Emile, in so many ways. Corne’s more abrasive, and Emile’s the ball winner, and a smart player, and is developing good leadership as well,” Plumtree explained.

“We’ve got full backing of the boys, and the boys are really pleased they’ve got this opportunity.”

As Plumtree says, his team have won important games this season without the likes of Etzebeth.

In fact, the Sharks have yet to field a full-strength side against the Bulls this season, and they are yet to lose to the Pretoria team.

They have got over the line in their last three outings against the Bulls, and Etzebeth did not play in those games.

Plumtree said that the harrowing, 100-minute quarter-final meant the players had to take it easy this week, and the preparation has been more mental.

“With big games like this, it’s often your easiest week as a coach. The players are all excited about the opportunity.

“We had to lighten the load a lot in training based on what happened last weekend, but they’re feeling good.”

Plumtree said his forwards are excited about going up against the much-vaunted Bulls pack.

“It’s not just about who gets front-foot ball but also the psychological battle, and that’s what it’s all about, these big contests. The Bulls are not just a scrummaging team, they’re a good set-piece team, particularly at Loftus,” Plumtree said.

“These are big derby games, aren’t they? The Sharks-Bulls game at Loftus, everyone in Durban will be watching this game of rugby because it’s based on the contests there have been over the years, and there have been some great contests.”

Sharks team

15 Aphelele Fassi 14 Ethan Hooker 13 Lukhanyo Am 12 Andre Esterhuizen 11 Makazole Mapimpi 10 Jordan Hendrikse 9 Jaden Hendrikse 8 Siya Kolisi (captain) 7 Vincent Tshituka 6 James Venter 5 Emile van Heerden, 4 Corne Rahl 3 Vincent Koch 2 Bongi Mbonambi 1 Ox Nche.

Bench: 16 Fez Mbatha 17 Ntuthuko Mchunu 18 Hanro Jacobs 19 Deon Slabbert 20 Phepsi Buthelezi 21 Bradley Davids 22 Jurenzo Julius 23 Yaw Penxe.