Sharks coach John Plumtree expects two injured Springbok backs to be fit for the Vodacom URC playoffs.
Bok centre Lukhanyo Am was a noticeable absentee from the starting lineup for Friday night’s match against Ospreys at Kings Park, with Jurenzo Julius named at 13.
“Lukhanyo has a little bit of swelling on his knee around the patella, probably from playing on the 4G pitches in the UK,” said Plumtree. “So he’s had that treated this week with a little bit of fluid drained off.
“We’re pretty sure it’s going to settle down over the next five or six days so he’s available for next week [against Scarlets] and if not, then he’ll be fine for the Springbok alignment camp during our week off and the quarter-finals.”
Bok scrumhalf Grant Williams should also be fit for the URC playoffs, having required more rest for a niggling neck injury.
“We’re pretty confident Grant will be back next week or the following week. It’s been bothering him for a number of weeks now so we want to give him the best possible chance to get it right,” said Plumtree.
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The Sharks will also be without Bok loosehead prop Ox Nche (illness) and flyhalf Jordan Hendrikse (back issue) on Friday night, with Dian Bleuler and Siya Masuku taking their places.
The Sharks need just three log points from their remaining two regular-season games to secure a top-four finish and a home quarter-final.
“We’re reasonably happy with where we’re at [on the log] but we’re not happy with the way we’re playing at the moment,” said Plumtree, who was disappointed with their previous performance in Belfast two weeks ago despite a 22-19 win.
“There were moments against Ulster where we were pretty good on both sides of the ball, but the first 20-30 minutes were scratchy, our skill sets were poor and there were lots of soft individual moments.
“The big challenge for the boys this week is to make sure their own mental preparation is better. You can forgive those little skill-set errors in pressure situations but when it’s not under pressure, the expectation is we nail those moments. I’m hoping for an 80-minute performance.”
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Meanwhile, the 11th-placed Ospreys beat the Dragons last time out and need to win both of their tour matches in South Africa (they face the Lions next weekend) to stand a chance of finishing in the top eight.
Plumtree said the Sharks would not underestimate the Welsh club, who beat them 19-5 last season at the Twickenham Stoop.
“They have beaten the Stormers, Benetton and Glasgow this season. They’ve got Welsh internationals, they’ve got experience and one of the better loose forwards in [captain] Jac Morgan [who was on Thursday named in the British & Irish Lions squad] and Dewi Lake, who’s the Wales captain. These guys are a genuine threat who can beat anyone on their day.”
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Photo: Steve Haag/Gallo Images
