It was winners all round when Sharks coach John Plumtree announced André Esterhuizen in the midfield for tomorrow’s Currie Cup semi-final against the Bulls in Pretoria (5pm kick-off).
Two weeks ago, Rassie Erasmus said Esterhuizen had suffered a “three-month injury” in training in Durban, but it seems the Springbok coach received a worst-case-scenario report.
The burly Esterhuizen partners former Bok Francois Venter at centre in a strong backline that includes rising star Ethan Hooker on the wing.
This is because the Sharks have injuries at wing, and also because Plumtree wants to see what Hooker can do in a different position.
“Ethan has not played wing before, but it is something I want to look at because although we know he is a centre, circumstances change throughout the season and it is good to know that you have options,” the coach said yesterday.
Plumtree has made his view clear on the change of date of the original URC games scheduled for the same day as the coming Currie Cup final (September 21), but he says he continues to value the premier domestic competition highly.
“Ultimately, if you look at the bigger picture, this weekend’s semi-final is a pre-season game, and some guys will be playing their first game in over eight weeks,” Plumtree said.
“However you look at it, this is a solid hit-out against a quality team, and it was exactly what we want at this stage of the year.”
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Plumtree said he revered his time in the Currie Cup, which has seen him win titles for Natal and the Sharks both as a player and a coach.
“The Currie Cup has a massive history and has been a big part of my coaching career. As much as we know that the URC is a priority, we must honour the Currie Cup. We are treating this match with deadly seriousness.”
Plumtree says, though, that he will be a relieved man if his team gets through tomorrow’s semi-final at Loftus Versfeld with no serious injuries, with the URC opener looming against Connacht in Galway on September 28.
“I think it will be a much tougher game than last week (when the Sharks beat the Bulls 24-18 at Kings Park),” he said.
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“It is a different environment. It will be a dry evening, and the speed of the game will go up a notch after a wet game in Durban. The ball-in-play time will be higher, the physicality will always be there at Loftus.
“The Bulls will test us in areas we know we need to be tested, so this is perfect preparation for the URC – but we are not talking about the URC this week. We are honouring the Currie Cup.”
Sharks Team
15 Jordan Hendrikse, 14 Eduan Keyter, 13 Francois Venter, 12 André Esterhuizen, 11 Ethan Hooke,r 10 Siya Masuku, 9 Bradley Davids, 8 Phepsi Buthelezi, 7 Vincent Tshituka (captain), 6 James Venter, 5 Emile van Heerden, 4 Corné Rahl, 3 Hanro Jacobs, 2 Fez Mbatha, 1 Ntuthuko Mchunu.
Bench: 16 Ethan Bester, 17 Dian Bleuler, 18 Trevor Nyakane, 19 Gerbrandt Grobler, 20 Emmanuel Tshituka, 21 Tian Meyer, 22 Lionel Cronjé, 23 Litelihle Bester.